Jimmy Buffett’s Sister Reveals His Last Words To Her And Details About His Final Days

Jimmy Buffett’s sister’s thoughts on her brother

Jimmy Buffett’s sister, Lucy “Lulu” Buffett, released an emotional and heartfelt statement about her dear brother that gave us an intimate look into his family life and the inner thoughts she had about who he was as a brother.

“Jimmy was so many things to so many people,” she said in an article she wrote for Keys News. “For me, I always felt safe in a world that he was in because as my big brother, he felt like my protector. When he played the amphitheater in Key West last February, I remember gazing around and thinking, I have known him longer than anyone here, along with my sister, LaLa. Maybe not as well as others, as he married and had his own family, but we had the destiny of knowing him as a kid and the three of us had common goals to supersede our humble beginnings.”

Lulu said that Jimmy’s childhood nickname was Bubba and even as he grew up and came into fame and fortune, he always kept his Southern Gulf Coast roots and was anchored in the importance of family. Everything he did to build up his career was ultimately to provide for his family and it was his love for them that not only gave him the drive to achieve greatness, but also kept his ego in check.

Dealing with the news that Jimmy had cancer

Lulu said that Jimmy never made a big deal about receiving the bad news that he had cancer four years ago. In fact, he stayed positive from the moment he heard the news as well as throughout each avenue he took to try to heal himself.

Lulu expressed that, “There were times of great joy and celebration as the illness would get in check after repeated treatments. One such was a lunch at Louie’s, one of his favorite places. Regardless of his busy, busy life, he took time to check in. He did not want us to worry. Then, we would get word of a ‘setback.’ Still, he remained optimistic. He was the best person I know that could ‘breathe in, breathe out and move on…’ after hard news.”

Jimmy fought bravely and gave it everything he had and Lulu said it was a beautiful goodbye visit she had with him the week he passed away. He specifically asked Lulu to bring her dog, Jojo, which she did, along with some of his favorite Gumbo and some water and sand from a beach on the Gulf of Mexico that gave him joy to touch with his hands.

“He had my grandfather’s twinkle in his eye to the end and he was very clear that the music, the party, and the good life was to continue with his robust optimism in tow,” Lulu said.

Lulu’s thoughts after Jimmy Buffett’s passing

After Jimmy passed away, the City of Key West turned into a parade full of colorful people who honored him. With a New Orleans second-line parade marching through the streets leading a crowd of fans who loved and cherished his music and him as a person, it was an emotional place to be.

Lulu told Key News, “He maintained a love for Key West and a deep appreciation for his time spent there as a young, lost troubadour. I believe he knew what he was doing when he booked four shows there in February! He wanted to go back and give back to the place that started it all for him.”

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The family prayed for a miracle

Lulu shared that even towards the end when they all knew that things were going south, there was a lot of talk and texts about a miracle happening for him. That’s when Lulu’s husband told her that the miracle was actually that they got the chance to be with Jimmy for four more years since they heard the bad news of his cancer.

Even with the news, Jimmy continued to work as he always did, with purpose and light-speed movement. According to Lulu, from the beginning to the end, he was an ordinary man from an ordinary childhood who lived and did extraordinary things that touched millions.

“I know that he is flying high above Mother Ocean, soaring up to the Pleiades, and was gliding over Duval Street yesterday, laughing and singing all the way with his beloved Parrotheads and friends,” Lulu wrote.

Jimmy Buffett’s Last Words To His Sister Lucy

Last but not least, Lulu said that Jimmy Buffett’s final words that he whispered to her was to, “Have fun.” And that’s exactly what she intends to do!

May the legacy of Jimmy Buffett live on forever. Listen to more of what his sisters had to say in the video 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.