Cressida Bonas has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her sister Pandora Cooper-Key following her death at the age of 51 from cancer.
Pandora was first diagnosed with the disease 24 years ago and spent the past two decades battling different cancers.
Her family announced on Sunday that Pandora had passed away on July 22 following the discovery of an inoperable brain tumour.
Today Pandora’s half-sister Ms Bonas posted a heartwarming tribute to her saying ‘you were right here beside me all along’.
The actress and model wrote on Instagram: ‘I’ll look for you in my dreams where you’ll say “Hi Smally”, and tell me where you’ve been.
‘Then one day I’ll remember you said in one of your final days, “I don’t know what all the fuss is about, I ain’t going nowhere…”
‘And I’ll realise, I never had to look for you at all. You were right beside me all along, because my darling sister my heart is forever tied to yours.’
Cressida Bonas has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her sister Pandora Cooper-Key following her death at the age of 51 from cancer
Pandora was first diagnosed with the disease 24 years ago and spent the past two decades battling different cancers
Pandora was first diagnosed with the disease 24 years ago and spent the past two decades battling different cancers
Pandora, who was the daughter of former It girl Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon and aristocrat Esmond Cooper-Key, was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26 in 2000.
And in March, she exclusively revealed to Femail that her family had already planned her funeral ‘thousands of times’.
At the end of last year, Pandora, from west London, was told that she had a tumour on the left side of her skull that doctors could not operate on.
Following the announcement of her death, Sarcoma UK, a charity she supported, said on a fundraising page: ‘She was a beautiful spirit and an inspiration to so many.’
Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK, added: ‘Her openness about her journey helped raise crucial awareness about sarcoma and the challenges faced by patients. Pandora’s legacy extends far beyond her fundraising efforts; she touched countless lives with her warmth and resilience.
‘On behalf of everyone at Sarcoma UK, I extend our deepest condolences to Pandora’s family, including her mother, Lady Mary, her sister, Cressida Bonas, her two sons, and all who loved her.
We are immensely grateful for the difference Pandora made to our organisation and to others affected by sarcoma. We at Sarcoma UK will honour her by continuing our mission with renewed determination.
‘Pandora’s kindness, courage, and indomitable spirit will forever remain in our hearts.’
Pandora worked as a handbag designer for Vivienne Westwood but left the job to have her first child.
Pandora worked as a handbag designer for Vivienne Westwood but left the job to have her first child
Today Pandora’s half-sister Ms Bonas posted a heartwarming tribute to her saying ‘you were right here beside me all along’
Pandora was told at one point she had ten months to live but doctors later said they had misinterpreted the scans and she was in the clear
But only five weeks after giving birth she was told she had a sarcoma in her left eye and sinus area.
Sarcomas are malignant tumours which are so rare that a GP can expect to see only one or two in an entire career.
Pandora was told at one point she had ten months to live but doctors later said they had misinterpreted the scans and she was in the clear.
But she was then told she had another tumour in her cheek, which was successfully removed, and also one at the back of her nose.
In 2016, she went through a stage of having several seizures, which would sometimes lead to her becoming unconscious for a week.
Nevertheless, in 2022 Pandora started a ceramics business, Curzon Blue, after she fell in love with glassware at Portobello Market.
The name has a heartfelt meaning behind it, along with a touching nod to her mother.
‘It’s called Curzon Blue because my mother’s maiden name is Curzon and her fourth husband made a cocktail called Curzon blue.
‘It’s really delicious and it will knock you off your perch in a heartbeat. It just felt like a really nice thing to do to incorporate my two amazing backgrounds.’
Pandora Cooper-Key (seen, left, with half-sister Cressida Bonas) has tragically died age 51 after two decades suffering with different cancers
In 2000, aged 26, Pandora was diagnosed with Paget’s disease, a rare cancer of the milk duct and went on to also suffer from Sarcoma and other cancers
Pandora (pictured far left) said her family has been so supportive throughout health struggles. Above L-R: Jacobi Anstruther, Georgiana Anstruther, Isabella Branson, Cressida Bonas
Throughout her battle with various tumours, and despite feeling weak, Pandora continued working on her business and shared her love of glassware both on her website and her Instagram.
Until the end of her life, she would still travel to the markets in search of glass for her business, saying it brought a sense of relief to her health battle.
However, Pandora revealed that this year had been her hardest when speaking five months ago.
‘In the last few months, I probably have been the closest to feeling depressed than I’ve ever been and I’m not a depressive person,’ she said.
‘That’s been quite scary. There have been days where I’ve been like I can’t bear the pain. But then there’s something in me that bounces back.’
Pandora is survived by her two sons, who she had with TV producer Matthew Mervyn-Jones before they separated.
