Losing a parent is never easy, no matter what age they pass, and Lisa Wilkinson’s emotional tribute dedicated to her late father, Ray Wilkinson, on what would be his 100th birthday, is testament to that.
The Project host shared four throwback pictures of her father from his younger years.
In the first photo, a young Lisa has her arms around her father as they smile at the camera.
“This photo is the last one ever taken of me with my dad…back in early ’87, three years before he passed away,” she began in her caption.
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“I’m not sure why, but we hardly ever took family photos, and so this one is incredibly special to me. It was at Sydney airport, and I was on my way to work in New York alongside the extraordinary Gloria Steinem…I was excited and terrified all at once, and as always, dad was quietly by my side to wish me luck. And believing.”
Lisa posted this picture of her late mother.
(Credit: Instagram)Lisa dedicated the rest of her post to her father’s birthday by paying ode to his important impact on her life.
“Today, dad would have turned 100, and even now, I can still feel that hug, and remember that special space in his arms that always felt like it was carved out just for me.
“To this day, he remains the gentle guiding star I steer by, and the finest, kindest person I have ever known.
“Vale Ray Wilkinson. You are truly missed. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” she finished.
In May 2020, Lisa spoke highly about her father to Australian Women’s Weekly as she recounted the incredible love he gave her mother after her rough childhood.
“My father was an absolute angel who loved her unconditionally and accepted all the challenges that came from my mother’s childhood. So there was, in many ways, a happy ending for Mum,” she shared.
Lisa and her husband Peter FitzSimons on Valentine’s Day 2020.
(Credit: Instagram)She also revealed that Ray is “never far away” from her thoughts and her husband Peter Fitzsimons explained they have placed Ray’s photo on the mantelpiece next to his own loving parents.
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