Just days after her father Jimmy Buffett passed away at 76 years of age from skin cancer, his youngest daughter Delaney offered a heartfelt tribute.
Buffett shared daughters Savannah, 44, and Delaney, 31, with his second wife Jane Slagsvol, along with adopted son Cameron, 29.
Delaney, a writer, producer and director with several films and TV shows to her credit, took to Instagram on Wednesday to offer a heartfelt tribute.
‘I knew my dad my whole life but in his final days, I saw who he was: a man whose spirit could not be broken,’ Delaney began.
‘Despite the pain, he smiled everyday. He was kind when he had every excuse not to be. He told us not to be sad or scared, but to keep the party going,’ she said.
Tribute: Just days after her father Jimmy Buffett passed away at 76 years of age from skin cancer , his youngest daughter Delaney offered a heartfelt tribute
Daughter: Buffett shared daughters Savannah, 44, and Delaney, 31, with his second wife Jane Slagsvol, along with adopted son Cameron, 29
‘And as much as I’d like to use that as an excuse to drink myself into oblivion worthy of his literary heroes, I know it’s not what he meant,’ she admitted.
Delaney also admitted that her father, ‘loved his weed and his wine, but the truth is, most of the time, he was just high on life, and that is what he wanted for everyone: to enjoy the fantastic trip that life can be.’
‘My dad was the joy he sang about. He was the hardest working person I’ve ever seen. He was a great man and an even better dad to my brother, sister and me,’ she said.
‘He was generous with his friends and strangers alike. He had a deep admiration for the people he worked with, and he never took himself too seriously, which is probably what I loved most about him,’ she admitted.
She also recalled the three episodes of South Park that featured a parody of her father, adding when she showed them to him, ‘he loved chuckling along.’
‘I remember teasing him about their Margaritaville blender jokes, and without missing a beat, he zinged me with “You live off those f***ing blenders!” He got me there,’ she admitted.
‘Over the past few days, people have thanked me for sharing my dad with them, but I know he would have wanted me to thank his fans for sharing their lives with him,’ she continued.
‘We are his family but the stage was his home, and you, his band, and everyone on the road gave him the strength to keep going back,’ Delaney stated.
Like: ‘And as much as I’d like to use that as an excuse to drink myself into oblivion worthy of his literary heroes, I know it’s not what he meant,’ she admitted
High on life: Delaney also admitted that her father, ‘ loved his weed and his wine, but the truth is, most of the time, he was just high on life, and that is what he wanted for everyone: to enjoy the fantastic trip that life can be’
Jokes: ‘I remember teasing him about their Margaritaville blender jokes, and without missing a beat, he zinged me with “You live off those f***ing blenders!” He got me there,’ she admitted
Family: ‘We are his family but the stage was his home, and you, his band, and everyone on the road gave him the strength to keep going back,’ Delaney stated
Thanks: ‘Over the past few days, people have thanked me for sharing my dad with them, but I know he would have wanted me to thank his fans for sharing their lives with him,’ she continued
‘I’ll pass something along my mom said to me, “Whenever you feel sad or lost, look for the messages in the music. There are plenty,”‘ she said.
She also shared her love and gratitude for the doctors, nurses and others who were by his side throughout his cancer treatments.
‘My dad repeatedly told us how much he appreciated the doctors, nurses, and every person who was there for him during his battle with cancer. So to those who took care of my dad at home and in the hospital, I want to thank you for giving us more time together. I am eternally grateful,’ she said.
‘To the family and friends supporting us during this time, thank you for reminding me of the importance of human connection,” Delaney continued.
‘I knew laughter was the best medicine, but it’s never rung truer than it does now. If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane,’ she said.
“And a big thank you to everyone for your tributes, stories, and notes. My dad and I shared a love for words, so reading yours has lit up my darkest hour,’ she continued.
‘And finally, to my dad, thank you. You turned nothing into something and gave me everything. I will never be able to repay you or my mom for my beautiful life. I will love you forever, and I will always keep the party going (responsibly, of course),’ she concluded.
Jimmy is survived by Delaney and his other children, Savannah, 44, and Cameron, 29, as well as his wife of 46 years, Jane.