Friends, fans and loved ones said their final goodbye to American fashion designer, Kate Spade last week in Kansas City, Missouri, birthplace of the 55-year-old who committed suicide two weeks ago. Several big names and family members joined the funeral of one of the biggest names in American fashion, known especially for her famous handbags.
But, for her “heartbroken” 89-year-old father who died at his home in the Midwestern US city hours before the well-attended funeral.
The additional tragedy befell the family hours before the late-afternoon service. The family said, Earl Brosnahan, Spade’s father had been in failing health for some time.
Mourners gathered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Redemptorist Church on a rainy, dark afternoon. Some of Spade’s school friends carried signature handbags of the designer whose use of bright colors and prints proved a hit with career women.
“She was incredibly kind and had a very memorable laugh,” a friend, Margie Morrison, told the media.
Before getting into fashion design, Spade worked as a journalist, including a stint as accessories editor at The Mademoiselle magazine.
She launched her Kate Spade label in 1993 with husband Andy Spade.
More than a decade ago, Spade sold her business and launched the luxury line, Frances Valentine.
Spade’s body was found June 5 in her New York apartment.
“She was actively seeking help for depression and anxiety over the last five years, seeing a doctor on a regular basis and taking medication for both depression and anxiety,” her husband Andy Spade said in a media statement earlier this month.
Spade’s father died Wednesday night surrounded by family, according to a statement the family released to the media. Spade’s funeral took place on Thursday.
“He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter,” the family said.