Docs gave Shane months to live in 80s, but it was still huge shock when he passed decades later, says MacGowan's widow
Artist Victoria Mary Clarke said friends had warned her from the very start of their relationship back in the 80s, that the Pogues frontman didn't have long left due to his hard living rock 'n' roll lifestyle.
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Victoria and Shane pictured in 2012
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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Victoria said neither she nor Shane expected the end when the end finally came
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Victoria said: 'People did tell me, Shane would be dead soon. That began from when we got together, starting back in the 80s. People told me Shane would be dead very soon.
"The doctors too. There was a doctor we used to go to in London who told Shane that he would be dead in six months. Now she is dead herself, in fact two of Shane's doctors are dead, having told Shane that he would be dead himself."
But the
However
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Speaking on The Grief Podcast with Venetia Quick,
"I always had such faith in Shane whatever it was they said to him, he would be able to find a way around it. So it was a shock, a tremendous shock, I didn't expect it."
However
She said: 'A couple of my friends have said lately, Shane is bashing me on the shoulder and saying 'tell her this' I guess he will talk to anyone who will listen.
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"I know he's aware of me and can see me and if I write to him, I know he can see and it's like your partner is living in Peru, you know he's safe but you can't go there yet."
His widow said what helped her through her grief was the blissful look on Shane's face as he passed away in hospital.
Spine-tingling rendition of Fairytale of New York at Shane MacGowan's funeral as mourners dance around coffin
"I could feel this joy in the room, and it was impossible not to feel that and be pleased for him, that he had gone into that state. Even though I didn't want him not to go, I knew he was on this amazing trip, and wasn't coming back."
Victoria said the happiness she felt for Shane being liberated from his body after years of ill health, explained why she had a grin on her face
She said: 'I was smiling at the funeral because I felt aware of Shane's joy. People thought that was weird and I wasn't the only one feeling Shane's joy. It was like he was telling us, I'm free, I'm tripping out, be happy for me."
Victoria also believes that
She said: 'I believe that Shane died when he was meant to. He died because it was time to go, not that it feels good, at least I know he's happy, I know he's happy I don't just feel it.
"I have no question Shane is happy because he has told me that many times so I'm aware of that. It also helps because I know he had a lot of pain and suffering with his body so it is a relief for him because he's out of it."
Victoria was speaking on The Grief Podcast with Venetia Quick.
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The funeral procession of Shane MacGowan makes its way through the streets of Dublin ahead of his funeral in Co Tipperary
Credit: � 2023 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
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