Kevin Smith (C) is joined by his wife Jennifer Schwalbach Smith (L) and his mother Grace during a hand and footprint ceremony immortalizing Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s) in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles in 2019. Kevin announced Tuesday that Grace had died the day before. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) — Clerks, Chasing Amy and Dogma filmmaker and actor Kevin Smith has announced the death of his mother, Grace.
“The bill for 55 years of unconditional love came due on December 1st, and the costly price was having to watch the strongest person I’ve ever known — my absolute favorite person in the world — exit the stage after a lifetime of setting it for her children,” Smith wrote on social media.
“My Mom is gone. At 8:34 last night, Grace V. Smith — the first person I ever loved — took her last breath,” he added. “She was a lioness, fiercely protective of her pride, who lived for her kids — so there’s never been a day in my life when I didn’t know in my bones that I was valued as human being, cherished as a child, and deeply loved beyond reason. My Mom made me feel like I mattered — to our family, to the world, and especially to her.”
Smith shared on Facebook Sunday that he and his siblings Virginia and Don had visited their mom in a Florida hospital where she had been ill, but seemed to be on the mend.
“AMAZING GRACE DOES IT AGAIN! Flew to Florida Friday morning for an unplanned, emergency trip to see Mom, who was suddenly on death’s doorstep,” he wrote at the time.
“And over the course of the past 2 days, she bounced back, returning from the brink! Talk about giving thanks! @virginia_in_vienna, Don and I are slobbering grateful for our Mom and her uncanny ability to beat the odds yet again. Thank you to the fine folks at the hospital for giving her a fighting chance and thank you, Mom, for your unstoppable heart and indomitable spirit!”
Smith’s other credits include Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl and Mallrats.
Jimmy Cliff
Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff performs during The Climate Rally concert in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, in Washington on April 25, 2010. Cliff, a Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee died best known for “The Harder They Come,” died at the age of 81 on November 24. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo