Dame Maggie Smith laid to rest in ‘beautiful goodbye’ as family pay tribute to Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star

ok.co.uk:

Dame Maggie Smith has been honoured at a private funeral service in Richmond on Monday.The actress, renowned for her roles as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter, the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, and the lead in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, was tenderly remembered at a private funeral on Monday.

Dame Maggie passed away on September 27, aged 89, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances. Her death was confirmed by her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens.They said in a statement at the time: "She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.

An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother." The family publically thanked Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, saying: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days." They closed the statement requesting privacy for the family. "We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time." On Monday, her close friends and colleagues gathered at Mortlake Crematorium at 4pm to pay tribute to her "richly lived" life.

As reported by MailOnline, one attendee reflected: "Such a beautiful goodbye to Maggie Smith today. It was warm and funny and full of love and brilliant eulogies, with the best hymns being belted out by all.