Ferry boys’ agonising farewell to mum Lucy
THE family of socialite Lucy Birley turned out to bid their final farewells at a memorial service in Mayfair yesterday.
Former Vogue model Lucy, who was married to Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry for 21 years, and was mother of his four sons — Otis, Isaac, Tara and Merlin — was found dead in July at a farmhouse in Ireland owned by her brother. She was 58 and had been suffering from depression.
There was standing room only at the Farm Street Church where interior designer Nicky Haslam gave an address and Lucy’s second husband, nightclub owner Robin Birley, gave a reading.
Her mother-in-law, Lady Annabel Goldsmith, sister-in-law Jemima and brother-in-law Zac wore sombre black.
Lucy’s third son, Tara, 28, read his own poem, For Mum. ‘I couldn’t be prouder of you,’ he said, wiping tears from his eyes. ‘The eternal love we share is our greatest gift. Forever beautiful. Forever loving. Forever smiling.’
Lucy’s eldest son, huntsman Otis, 36, accompanied by girlfriend Lady Alice Manners, gave a moving tribute, revealing that his mother had left handwritten notes for all of her family.
‘My darling Otis,’ she wrote to him. ‘Please forgive me. I am so sorry that you are reading this, but I never wanted to grow old.’
Otis told the congregation: ‘Of course I forgive you.
‘We all forgive you. I am missing you so much. I just wish I could have said goodbye.’