How Jimmy Buffett’s Family Honored Him On 1st Birthday After His Death
(Left) Bruce Glikas / Contributor / Getty Images / (Right) Delaney Buffett / Instagram
Jimmy Buffett’s Friends & Family Gather For Meaningful Tribute On First Birthday Since He Passed Away
Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1 at the age of 76. The “Margaritaville” singer was survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane Slagsvol, and their three children, Savannah, Delaney, and Cameron.
Jane released a statement a week after Jimmy’s death. In it, she shared fond memories of Jimmy and how he brought so much joy to everyone who loved him:
“Jimmy was love. Every cell in his body was filled with joy. He smiled all the time, even when he was deeply ill. And his sense of humor never wavered. Jimmy was always the optimist, always twinkling, always making us laugh,” she said.
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Jimmy’s Loved Ones Read A Poem & Participated In A “Paddle Out” On His Birthday To Honor Him
Jimmy was born on Christmas Day in 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This Christmas, his friends and family gathered at one of his favorite places to honor him on his first birthday since his passing.
As Jimmy’s team shared on his official Facebook page, his loved ones came together at “a surf break called Toiny.” There, they read a passage from a French poem called Le Voilier.
After the reading, Jimmy’s loved ones participated in a paddle out, which is, “a ritual that embraces the temporality of an individual life amongst family, friends and community within the timelessness and eternity of the ocean.”
Jimmy’s team shared a translation of ‘Le Voilier, which you can read in the post below.
Jimmy was in the process of making a new album at the time of his death. That album, called Equal Strain on All Parts, was released posthumously in November.
The album contains the song “Bubbles Up,” which Jimmy’s fans have found a lot of comfort in following his passing. Jane said:
“One of the last songs Jimmy recorded was ‘Bubbles Up.’ He sings, ‘Just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and the joy is always enough. Bubbles up.’ Jimmy knew he was loved. Right until the end, he looked for the light. Thank you for giving joy to him and to me.”
Watch the official music video for “Bubbles Up” below.
Jimmy Buffett was devoted to philanthropy. He founded two charitable organizations, Singing for Change and Save the Manatee Club. He also had a company called Last Mango Boatworks that sells apparel and accessories. Items sold from Last Mango benefit Singing for Change and Freedom Fighter Outdoors. Learn more about Jimmy’s philanthropic efforts or donate to one of the above-mentioned organizations here.
