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June 30, 2009

Farrah Fawcett recalled at L.A. funeral

The Associated Press Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The life of “Charlie’s Angels” star Farrah Fawcett was celebrated Tuesday at a private funeral in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Her longtime companion, Ryan O’Neal, 68, was among pallbearers who accompanied the casket, covered in yellow and orange flowers, into the Roman Catholic cathedral.

Fawcett’s friend Alana Stewart and “Charlie’s Angels” co-star Kate Jackson were among early arrivals before the hearse pulled up, accompanied by 10 motorcycle officers.

Fans and news media watched from across a street. The service was closed to the public.

The funeral program said Fawcett’s and O’Neal’s 24-year-old son, Redmond, was to do the service’s first reading. He has been jailed in a drug case but received a judge’s permission to attend the funeral. He was not seen outside the cathedral, however.

The program, which featured a photograph of a smiling Fawcett, also said Ryan O’Neal was to read the 23rd Psalm. and eulogies were to be given by Stewart and Dr. Lawrence Piro, Fawcett’s cancer specialist.

Fawcett died Thursday at age 62 after a public battle with cancer. O’Neal and Stewart were at her side.

“After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away,” O’Neal said in a statement last week. “Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world.”

Diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2006, Fawcett’s battle with the disease was documented in “Farrah’s Story,” which aired last month on NBC.

Stewart, a producer of the documentary, said Fawcett was “much more than a friend; she was my sister.”

“Although I will miss her terribly, I know in my heart that she will always be there as that angel on the shoulder of everyone who loved her,” Stewart said in a statement.

Redmond O’Neal was jailed April 5 on drug charges.

Last week, a judge granted his request to attend Fawcett’s funeral. The order by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jane Godfrey allows Redmond O’Neal to be released for three hours and wear street clothes to attend the funeral.

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