Kate Spade’s dad dies of ‘a broken heart’ hours before tearful family mourn at designer’s funeral
Frank Brosnahan died at his home in Kansas City, Missouri, where Kate's funeral was held yesterday
KATE Spade's dad died of "a broken heart" hours before tearful loved ones gathered to lay the designer to rest yesterday.
Frank Brosnahan, 89, died at home on the eve of Kate's funeral service in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mourners gathered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church for yesterday's emotional service, with many carrying Kate's iconic handbags.
The 55-year-old's grieving husband Andy, and his actor brother David Spade, were seen hugging friends and family members outside the church.
During the moving service, Andy expressed his "deep love" for the tragic designer.
Father Donald P. Farnan, who gave the mass, told the "Her husband just shared a little about how they met, their love story and how she was a great person. He expressed his deep love for her."
The cover of the funeral program included a photo of Kate with her daughter Frances Beatrice, who is now 13.
During the service, one high-school classmate recalled Spade's "incredibly kind" nature, and paid tribute to her heartwarming laugh.
Olivia Lott said: "I just feel like her vocation was to fill the world with beautiful things."
Her statement echoed sentiments expressed earlier this month by friends and fans who described her as vibrant and colorful , like the designs that made her famous.
The congregation sang "The First Noel," a nod to Kate Spade's birthday, on Christmas Eve, and her middle name, Noel.
Mourners also paused for a moment's silence and offered prayers for her dad.
The family said in a statement: "He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter. He was at home and surrounded by family at the time of his passing."
Hundreds attended Kate's funeral where she was born, with services held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church.
Kate's family and friends who braved the rain to attend her service, wore bright outfits to her funeral service in a touching tribute to her penchant for colour.
Her actor niece Rachel Brosnahan wore a striking pale blue suit with white heels, with others even carrying her iconic purses to the church.
Kate took her own life on June 5 at her New York City home, leaving behind her 13-year-old daughter.
She suffered anxiety and depression for almost a decade and was regularly seen by a doctor to manage the condition.
Speaking to the the day after her death, Frank said he was aware his daughter had been battling mental health conditions.
He said: "She'd been taking some pills, which I advised her not to take."
It is the same church where Kate's grandparents were married.
Celebrity fans of Kate's designs included Kate Middleton, Kerry Washington, Sasha Obama and Mischa Barton, and her net worth in 2018 was £111.8million ($150million).
She met her husband Andy when the pair were just students, while working in a men's clothing store in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1993, they founded fashion and lifestyle brands Kate Spade New York, and a year later they married.
Two years later, she had her own stand-alone store in New York City, with Kate Spade & Co worth £1.12million ($1.5million).
Kate sold 56 per cent of her brand in 1999 for £25million ($33.6million) and the remainder in 2006 for a reported £44million ($59million).
The Kate Spade brand is now owned by Coach parent company Tapestry.
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