Annie Lennox attends funeral of daughter’s boyfriend
Ian Jones, 32, a model and photographer, was trying to save Tali’s life on 8 August after their kayak capsized in powerful currents in the Hudson River, New York.
Model and artist Tali, 22, was pulled from the river, near Staatsburg, upstate New York, but Jones went missing.
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Hide AdHis body was found two days later. Neither he nor Tali were wearing lifejackets and police say alcohol may have played a part in the accident.
Mr Jones’ funeral was held at the Christian Life Centre in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Jones’s hometown.
According to the funeral programme, the ceremony included a performance of Imagine by Lola Lennox, Tali’s sister.
Funeral mourners were told during the ceremony about Mr Jones past battles with alcohol and that he had been sober for four years before the accident.
His mother Sherron told the 300 people who attended that in the past he had given her a “lot of troubles” but his recent sobriety was a “real blessing”.
Next to a picture of her son on the funeral programme, Sherron Jones wrote: “My beautiful son, I will miss you so.
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Hide Ad“But, I know in my heart and soul I will see you again in heaven.”
Addressing the mourners, she said that his past issues with alcohol had brought new focus to his life.
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Hide AdShe said: “It’s going to be really, really hard to imagine my life without him. Although he gave me troubles – a lot, a lot.
“Despite that, these last four years of sobriety were a real blessing.”
Kim Michie, Jones’ aunt, said he “did stumble along the way” but added: “Who doesn’t?”
Pastor Del Smith, who led the one-hour service, said afterwards that he had known Jones since he was ten.
He said: “He was on a real upward trajectory that was amazing. That’s what makes this so sad now.”
After Mr Jones’ death Tali, who goes by the surname Fruchtmann as well as Lennox, wrote on Instagram: “My heart is shattered.
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Hide Ad“My best friend, my soul mate, my partner in crime & creativity, the love & light of my life is no longer with me.”
The county sheriff is currently awaiting toxicology reports on Mr Jones’ body.