Damian Lewis is paying tribute to his late wifeHelen McCrory, whodied this weekof cancer at age 52.
TheBillionsstar, 50, honored McCrory — who was best known for her roles as Narcissa Malfoy in theHarryPotterfilms and Polly Gray inPeaky Blinders— in an emotional tribute written forThe Sunday Times, in which he reflected on his “brilliant” wife’s life.
“Many people have spoken about her career and many more will, so that’s where I’ll leave it, because it strikes me that two things are happening this weekend: an outpouring of grief and shock, and a celebration of Helen McCrory the actress from fans everywhere, and of Helen the person,” Lewis said of the actress. “And that’s who I want to talk about.”
Lewis went on to speak on how McCrory always “spread happiness,” writing, “Even when dying in her last few days, when talking to our wonderful carers, she repeatedly said, ‘thank you so much’ in her half delirious state.”
Helen McCrory, Damian Lewis.Mike Marsland/WireImage
“I’ve never known anyone able to enjoy life as much,” Lewis said. “Her ability to be in the present and enjoy the moment was inspirational. Nor was she interested in navel-gazing. No real interest in self- reflection; she believed in looking out, not in. Which is why she was able to turn her light so brightly on others.”
Lewis, who married McCrory in 2007 after they met on the production ofFive Gold Ringsat London’s Almeida Theatre in 2003, said the late actress has left their two children — daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13 — “too early, but they have been prepared for life.”
“They have in them the fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty of their mother. She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid,” Lewis said.
He also wrote in the tribute of McCrory: “She has been utterly heroic in her illness. Funny, of course — generous, brave, uncomplaining, constantly reminding us all of how lucky we’ve been, how blessed we are. Her generosity has extended to encouraging us three to live. Live fully, take opportunities, have adventures.”
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast,PEOPLE Every Day,to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.
Damian Lewis, Helen McCrory.Dave Benett/Getty
“Already I miss her,” said Lewis. “She has shone more brightly in the last months than you would imagine even the brightest star could shine. In life, too, we had to rise to meet her. But her greatest and most exquisite act of bravery and generosity has been to ‘normalise’ her death. She’s shown no fear, no bitterness, no self-pity, only armed us with the courage to go on and insisted that no one be sad, because she is happy.”
“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives,” Lewis continued. “She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”
source: people.com
