“She was watching Fawlty Towers the day earlier than she died. Pru was married to Timothy West for 61 years. He died in November 2024. She is survived by two sons and one stepdaughter, seven grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
“We want to thank all those that gave Pru such great care on the finish of her life: her final days have been snug, contented, and surrounded by love.” Earlier than his demise on the age of 90 final 12 months, the late actor opened up about his spouse’s heartbreaking analysis.
He informed press on the time how he spent “loads of time” reassuring Prunella when she was confused. Timothy confessed: “I miss Pru’s companionship as my finest pal. She doesn’t have a lot consciousness of time so when she joins me, her face lights up as if we’ve been aside for days.
“The look on her face makes me realise how a lot I like her. She appears to handle extremely effectively with issues, as I attempt to, however certainly she should generally wonder if she goes to be allowed to finish her days on this home that has been so pricey to us.
“Not recognising me hasn’t been an issue, however it is going to come, I’m positive,” he added. The star revealed how he had consulted the couple’s GP about her reminiscence a 12 months earlier than her analysis, however was reassured on the time to not fear about it.
Talking to the BBC after they celebrated their diamond wedding ceremony anniversary in 2023, Timothy mentioned: “In some way we’ve coped with it, and Pru doesn’t actually give it some thought.” Timothy additionally confessed to the Alzheimer’s Society that 12 months that he didn’t know a lot in regards to the illness earlier than her analysis.
He admitted: “I’m unable to have the identical in-depth dialog about stage productions with Pru that I used to get pleasure from. However we proceed to do the issues we’ve all the time accomplished, because it’s essential to proceed to stay.
“I recognize that everybody’s expertise of dementia may be totally different. I’m very sympathetic to anyone who has issue, both on their very own or having to deal with family or mates with dementia.”
Timothy later wrote a ebook about their expertise with dementia titled Pru and Me, and revealed that the couple had the “similar dialog day by day of the week” however “it’s one thing I by no means tire of”.
“Repetition doesn’t actually exist in Pru’s world, and the look on her face when she enters the room and sees me sitting there on the couch ready for her makes me realise simply how a lot I like her.”
Prunella herself informed The Instances in September 2024 that her reminiscence was “much less good” however added that not with the ability to work would make her “very depressed”. She defined: “If we’re out of labor, we get very depressed.
“As one will get older, one’s reminiscence and residing from minute to minute adjustments, doesn’t it? You get much less environment friendly.” Earlier than his demise, the couple’s son Dam revealed in October 2024 that Prunella was “advantageous” and “having fun with a cruise”.
He added: “I’m undecided if she knew the place she was, however she loved getting there”. The actress was finest recognized for enjoying Sybil Fawlty, the strict spouse of John Cleese’s Basil Fawlty within the beloved ‘70s sitcom.
The present ran for 2 collection between 1975 and 1979 and remains to be thought of probably the greatest British comedy collection ever made. She additionally appeared in Coronation Road between January and February in 1961 as bus conductress, Eileen Hughes.
