Sarah “Delaney” Buffett and Jimmy Buffett.Photo:Walter McBride/WireImage
Walter McBride/WireImage
Sarah “Delaney” Buffettis remembering her late fatherJimmy Buffett.
The “Margaritaville” singerdied on Sept. 1 at the age of 76, and on Wednesday his daughter, 31, paid atouching tributeto him on social media.
“I knew my dad my whole life but in his final days, I saw who he was: a man whose spirit could not be broken,” the Instagram post began.
“Despite the pain, he smiled everyday. He was kind when he had every excuse not to be. He told us not to be sad or scared, but to keep the party going. And as much as I’d like to use that as an excuse to drink myself into oblivion worthy of his literary heroes, I know it’s not what he meant.”
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Delaney continued, “Yes, he loved his weed and his wine, but the truth is, most of the time, he was just high on life, and that is what he wanted for everyone: to enjoy the fantastic trip that life can be.”
Before his death, Buffett was being treated for a rare and aggressive form ofskin cancercalled Merkel cell carcinoma, which he was diagnosed with four years ago — and which ultimately claimed his life, according to an official obituaryposted to his website.
In her post, Delaney went on to share her gratitude for the healthcare professionals who looked after her dad and enabled his family to spend more precious moments with him.
“My dad repeatedly told us how much he appreciated the doctors, nurses, and every person who was there for him during his battle with cancer,” she continued.“So to those who took care of my dad at home and in the hospital, I want to thank you for giving us more time together. I am eternally grateful.”
Jimmy Buffett and wife Jane Slagsvol with their three children: Sarah “Delaney” Buffett, Savannah Buffett and Cameron Buffett.Delaney Buffett/Instagram
Delaney Buffett/Instagram
She added, “To the family and friends supporting us during this time, thank you for reminding me of the importance of human connection. I knew laughter was the best medicine, but it’s never rung truer than it does now. If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”
The producer and director also gave an insight into what her dad was like and described him as the “joy he sang about.”
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“He was the hardest working person I’ve ever seen,” she wrote. “He was a great man and an even better dad to my brother, sister and me.”
“He was generous with his friends and strangers alike. He had a deep admiration for the people he worked with, and he never took himself too seriously, which is probably what I loved most about him.”
Sarah “Delaney” Buffett, Jimmy Buffett and Jane Buffett.Walter McBride/WireImage
Delaney continued, “When I showed him theSouth Parkepisodes that parody him, he loved chuckling along. I remember teasing him about their Margaritaville blender jokes, and without missing a beat, he zinged me with ‘You live off those f—— blenders!’ He got me there.”
“Finally, to my dad, thank you,” she added. “You turned nothing into something and gave me everything. I will never be able to repay you or my mom for my beautiful life. I will love you forever, and I will always keep the party going (responsibly, of course).”
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band performs during the 2022 New Orleans & Jazz festival.Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage
Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage
Along with Delaney, Buffett also shareddaughter Savannah, 44, and son Cameronwithhis wife Jane Slagsvol.
The statement was shared alongside a photo of Buffett steering a boat. He died at his home in Sag Harbor, New York.
source: people.com
