Judy Loe Joyfully Celebrated at Chiswick House
Daughter Kate Beckinsale pays tribute to the 'biggest lover of life'
Judy Loe's daughter and granddaughter release doves to remember Judy Loe. Picture: Kate Beckinsale /Instagram
|
September 7, 2025
The gardens of Chiswick House were the setting for a joyful celebration of the life of local resident Judy Loe, who died from cancer this July, at the age of 78. Hosted by her daughter, actress Kate Beckinsale, the event on Saturday (6 September) honoured Judy’s wish for a vibrant gathering rather than a sombre funeral.
Kate later wrote that the event “blew the f****** roof off Chiswick House,” describing how guests of all ages—from toddlers to octogenarians—danced in tribute to Loe’s spirit.
In keeping with her mother’s wishes, she had asked attendees, at both the Chiswick House event and the earlier ceremony at Mortlake Crematorium,not to wear black. “The only mandate you gave me over the years was that you wanted a celebration of your life and that no one was to wear black so no one did,” she shared on Instagram.
She added, “Dearest Mama, the fact that you have had to have a funeral at all is wrong and ludicrous. You are the biggest lover of life, the most energetic, the most vital, the most joyous,” she wrote. She described the night before the event as sleepless and emotionally overwhelming, admitting she “very much considered not being able to attend because I was afraid I couldn’t handle it.
“Someone would be able to have a funeral that was so full of love and happiness and joy, which is all because of you and who you are and what you brought.”
She was joined by her daughter Lily and former partner Michael Sheen, as well as friends of her mother's including the actor David Bradley.
The event, in the garden pavilion in front of Chiswick House, included a live band.
Born Judith Margaret Loe on March 6, 1947, in Urmston, Lancashire, Judy Loe studied English and Drama at the University of Birmingham before launching a career that spanned more than five decades. She made her television debut in the 1970s in the cult fantasy series Ace of Wands, and went on to appear in a wide range of British dramas and comedies, including Edward the Seventh, Singles, The Chief, Casualty, Holby City, and Inspector Morse.
Judy Loe. Picture: Kate Beckinsale /Instagram
Her final screen role was in the 2024 Netflix thriller Fool Me Once, but she also known for her stage work and her early appearance in the original British cast of the musical Hair.
Beyond her professional achievements, Judy was admired for her warmth, resilience, and devotion to family. She was married to actor Richard Beckinsale until his untimely death in 1979, and later to television director Roy Battersby, who passed away in early 2024.
Kate Beckinsale hugs a guesy at the celebration at Chiswick House. Picture: Kate Beckinsale /Instagram
The gathering at Chiswick House was attended by family, friends, and colleagues from across generations. Her daughter noted, “Your school friends attended, my school friends attended, Lily’s school friends attended. The love you inspired, quietly and generously, was awe-inspiring and still is”.
Value Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |