On June 5, 2018, beloved handbag designer and creator and namesake of the massively successful fashion brand, Kate Spade, committed suicide in her Manhattan apartment. Spade’s death wasn’t just a shock to the fashion community, it was also an event that floored her closest friends and family.

Because the designer was such a beloved figure, at the time, many gossip sites picked up scattered details that might give the public some clarity as to what occurred on that sad morning. In the days after her death, we learned of a supposed leaked suicide note and a revelation concerning the possible breakdown of her marriage, but other than that, all information that was released directly from the family was sparse and simple.

We heard from the late Kate Spade’s brother-in-law, actor David Spade, as well as her niece, actress Rachel Brosnahan. Both parties sweetly eulogized her in several Instagram posts.

But, until earlier this week, her closest loved ones had stayed relatively silent for the past two months. We’re speaking, of course, about Kate Spade’s husband, Andy Spade, and her 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. On Tuesday, the late designer’s husband took to Instagram to update his friends and the public on how he and his teen daughter were mourning the death of their beloved wife and mother.

Andy posted a picture of a lit Christmas tree, along with this heartwrenching statement:

She was born Christmas Eve, 1962. She loved the Midwest, the desert, and the city. I was lucky enough to have dear friends let my daughter and stay at their home through a difficult time. This tree was standing alone beside the house so we ordered those multicolored, old fashioned lights from Amazon or Target and another dear personal friend gave me a really Iong extension cord and Bea and I cut a star out of the cardboard box the lights came on and wrapped it in Reynolds wrap (TM) like we do every Christmas.

Andy’s beautiful tribute has since gone viral, with friends and fans the world over showing their support for the Spade family.

A very tough June for Kate Spade’s family

Back in June, we were very sad to report that Kate Spade’s family was forced to endure yet another tragedy when the late designer’s 89-year-old father passed away from an illness the very day before her funeral. It was a death that put even more pressure on the Spade and Brosnahan families, as they were made to give yet another round of public statements.

Here’s what Rachel Brosnahan had to say about her grandfather and Kate’s father, Earl. F “Frank” Brosnahan Jr.’s, death:

We lost my grandfather Frank last night. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke a whole room leaned in. He was tough as nails but gentle as can be, stubborn as a mule, and had a wicked sense of humor. He will be deeply, deeply missed. I’d like to think that he and Katy are out there somewhere singing an off key rendition of “Danny Boy” and sharing a pint.

Yep, it doesn’t get tougher than that, folks. Though our heart is still breaking for both families, we’re happy to hear that the Spades are memorializing their most famous member in the way that comforts them most. Let’s all keep them in our thoughts!

What are your thoughts on Andy Spade’s Instagram post? Has your family suffered a recent tragedy? How have you memorialized your family members?