Shane Filan, the heart of Westlife, is mourning the loss of his beloved mother, Mae, who passed away on Sunday, December 15th, 2019. In a deeply emotional message shared on social media, Shane expressed his devastation, calling the day of her death the “saddest day” of his life.
Mae Filan, who was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing, was described by Shane as an “incredible, beautiful woman” who was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. He took to Twitter to share his grief and thank friends and fans for their messages of support during this heartbreaking time.
“Yesterday, Sunday 15th December was the saddest day of my life… My Mother Mae who was an incredible beautiful woman, wife, mother, grandmother & friend passed away peacefully surrounded by all her family,” Shane wrote. “I’d like to say thank you to everyone for all your well wishes at this time.”
He continued by asking for privacy as the family prepared for Mae’s funeral, emphasizing that it was a personal time for the family to grieve. Shane also mentioned that, in lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Sligo North West Hospice, who had cared for his mother with great compassion during her final days.
“Her funeral is a very private time for me and my family to grieve & I know you all understand & will respect that. Thank you. Love always, Shane & Family,” he concluded.
Mae Filan was not only a doting mother but also a pivotal figure in Westlife’s early success. She was the one who made the fateful phone call to Louis Walsh, urging him to give her son Shane and his bandmates a chance. That phone call led to the formation of one of the most successful boy bands in history.
Louis Walsh, Westlife’s manager, fondly recalled Mae’s impact on the band’s journey, saying, “She knew my mother. Mae was from Kiltimagh originally and was living in Sligo. She rang me and said how good her son and the group were, and for some reason I believed her.”
Mae’s legacy as a driving force behind Westlife’s rise to fame will be forever remembered by the band and their fans. She leaves behind her husband Peter, as well as her six children, including Shane.
The loss of Mae has left a deep void in Shane’s life, but it is also a reminder of the incredible role she played in helping her son and his bandmates achieve global stardom.
Westlife, now in their 20th year since formation, recently released their album Spectrum and began their thirteenth tour in May 2019, with each show selling out. Despite the band’s continued success, Shane’s heartfelt message shows that his mother’s memory will always be a guiding light in his life and career.
