Mick Fleetwood, the members of Fleetwood Mac and others close to their inner circle gathered on Monday (January 9) for a “Celebration of Life” event in honor of Christine McVie.
McVie died suddenly after a short illness on November 30, 2022 at the age of 79. Her exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Fleetwood shared the eulogy he wrote for McVie via Instagram. Accompanying the eulogy is a photo of the two of them on a plane together. He touches on the loss of his longtime friend and bandmate saying, in part, ” … We all are still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away.”
Fleetwood’s full remarks are as follows:
“I wrote this for Chris right after she passed away.
For Chris,
This is a day where my dear, sweet friend Christine McVie has taken flight,
And left us Earthbound folks to listen with bated breath to the sounds of that ‘song bird.’
Reminding one and all that love is all around us to reach for and touch in this precious life this is gifted to us.
Part of my heart has flown away today…
I will miss everything about you
Christine McVie
Memories abound…they fly to me.
Thank you for coming today as we celebrate the incredible life of our sweet Christine.
So, when we first learned that we might be losing Christine, there was an immediate coming together of everyone in the band and the Fleetwood Mac family with the hope and possibility that we would not lose Chris.
And NOW since the loss of Christine, we all are still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away.
In THIS moment in time, we celebrate her life, all together here today to help with our healing.
I’ve been blessed to be a part of a family that created a safe place for Chris and the band’s music to unfold. I am extremely honored for her to have been in my family’s life for over 55 years. Amy, Lucy, Ruby and Tessa — my four beautiful daughters — and extended family grew up sharing life with Christine. We all love and miss her so much already.
The other day when John and I were sitting together and not knowing how to come to terms with the loss of Christine, I blundered into a powerful word. I said, ‘John, it’s the enormity of it all!’
The enormity of our loss, the enormity of her passion, the enormity of her talents and her unshakable sense of grace in the way she handled life’s challenges.
I think she would heave been truly amazed at all the attention and celebrations of her music around the world and in total disbelief at the fact they were closing down sporting events to pay tribute to her. But that was our Christine — she was a North country girl from beginning to end never caring about the fluff. Again, it was our Christine who gifted so much to millions around the world.
She is being remembered everywhere. Just as her song says, ‘I want to be with you everywhere’ and she is.
It’s with a sense of gratitude and thanks to the Fleetwood Mac family that we are part of…and losing of such a magical component; has sparked a celebration of what Christine means to us. We all miss her as a family member, as a friend, an artist, a performer and God knows a writer of excellence. And those years sharing life together will always be remembered.
I have a poem I want to end with. It is an ancient Sanskrit poem I have next to my bed that was given to me by my mother, Biddy…
Look well to this day
For it is life
The very best of life
In its brief course lie all the
Realities and truths of existence
The joy of growth
The splendor of action
The glory of power
For yesterday is but a memory
And tomorrow is only a vision
But today, if well lived, makes
Every yesterday a memory
Of Happiness
And every tomorrow
A vision of hope
Look well therefore to this day
Eternal love for Christine and gratitude,
Mick Fleetwood.”