Photo: Francesca Cappucci/instagram
Beloved Los Angeles anchor Francesca Cappucci is being remembered as “a fighter” and “a lover of music” after she died of lung cancer.
Cappucci, who was a music reporter for ABC7 in the 1980s and 1990s, died on March 30, her sons shared in a heartbreaking Instagram post on Wednesday.
They recalled being “shocked” after learning Cappucci had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer on July 18.
“I vividly remember and will never forget the moment I first looked at her with eyes wide open, filled with shock and disbelief after hearing the news,” the post continued. “It didn’t seem real and almost unfair — unfair because she was so healthy and had never smoked. I asked my mother why out of all people you, but she said why not me? That’s who my mother was. She didn’t want to tell anyone the news because she didn’t want to put the burden on people to feel her pain.”
“It was a long and tough battle. I remember telling my mother to picture herself out in the desert and to find that oasis, where she would find relief. She tried until the end. She gave everything.”
They praised their mother as “a fighter”, writing, “It was an honor, joy and privilege taking care of my mother. I learned so much more of who she already was — a fighter for her children, a fighter of what is right, a fighter of injustice, a lover of music, and those who have known her, a legend in the 80’s-90’s who made a name of herself to spread stories and interview the most creative musicians in the world.”
The brothers ended with, “She has left so much here on earth.. She left such a deep hole that I don’t know if it is possible to fill… Even though she is now gone, we carry her and feel her everywhere we go. We love you mom. We know you know where that Oasis is. We will miss you…”
Ian toldThe Hollywood Reporterthathis mother diedwhile at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, Calif.
He added that she was not a smoker and “was an advocate for wellness and ran and exercised every day, that’s why [her illness] was such a shock.”
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During her career, Cappucci left a mark on film directorQuentin Tarantino, who named a character in his filmOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywoodafter her. Lorenza Izzo played the role of Francesca Cappucci in the 2019 project. The luxurious fictional character was also married toLeonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton.
She took her skills behind the camera and produced a short filmNot Me. StarringOuter Banks’Rudy Pankow, it debuted at film festivals in 2018. She and Ian also co-wrote the movie, the outlet added.
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There, she interviewed legends likeRod Stewart,David BowieandMichael Jackson, her obituary noted.
In her personal life, she was a caretaker for dogs and her sons' biggest fan as they pursued their own passions.
She leaves behind her sons, six nieces and nephews, and nine cousins.
“She will always be remembered and loved in the hearts of those whose lives she touched. May her soul rest in peace,” her obituary concluded.
source: people.com
