Shanna Moakler has marked her mom Gail’s first posthumous birthday.
The model honored the late matriarch in a touching social media tribute featuring a throwback image of her and her husband, John W. Moakler III, smiling at the camera. She had announced that her mother had passed away at 77 in January, alongside a media statement thanking “all the friends and family that have reached out and sent their condolences.”
Shanna Moakler Celebrates Her Mother On Her 78th Birthday With Bittersweet Tribute.
Shanna’s world shattered when she learned her “beautiful and kind and loving” mother had passed away, and the days after that were no more accessible. The former Miss New York USA had taken her Instagram Story to mark Gail’s bittersweet birthday milestone, posting a vintage photograph of her parents holding each other intimately while smiling at viewers.
“Happy heavenly bday, Mom,” she began in white letters within a black text box. The December 2001 Playmate of the Month added, “I wish so badly we could go to Ricotti’s, sit on the deck, have a screwdriver[.] look at birds and listen to The Bee Gees.”
This development is the latest in the series of monumental events since Gail’s death, as it comes right after her daughter marked her first Mother’s Day without the 78-year-old.
The mother-of-three first dropped a photo of her and a younger Gail holding each other around the shoulder, with “Happy Mother’s Day” colorfully written at the top of the Instagram Story. She followed up with an Instagram post featuring a throwback photo of her mother throwing her up in the air beside what appeared to be a bridge over a body of water.
“Beautiful memories for two gorgeous women! She is now your personal “angel” 🕊️,” one fan typed in the comments, as a second stated that the picture was “so precious.” A third person expressed that they were “sending so much love and hugs to” the “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” star, concluding, “You and you’re [sic] mother are so beautiful!”
A fourth person also sent her hugs and the knowledge that May 14 must have been a “hard first mothers Day without your number one fan. Shanna shared another update as the outpour of public affection continued, showcasing her daughter Atiana De La Hoya’s tribute to Gail on her Instastories.
The post showed the three generations of grandmother [Gail], mother [Shanna], and granddaughter [Atiana] at a special ceremony as the latter, who was still a baby in the image, donned a white baptismal dress. Per The Blast, shared initially on Atiana’s Story, the snap came with the words, “Today is hard.”
The 1993 Miss Teen All-American Title Holder Reminisced About Last Text Chain With Her Mom
Shortly after her mother died, Shanna shared screenshots of her last conversations with her beloved family member. The text chain began with the reality television star’s mom typing:
“We are supposed to get snow flurries today or tomorrow. I’m kind of looking forward to it [.] I love snow.”
After seeing her daughter’s “Lucky” response, Gail revealed that she was in “such a good place right now” — physically and mentally. She then declared her love for her family before chiming, “I love you, honey.”
The model reiterated her mom’s feelings, penning, “Good mom love you too,” and Gail responded, “I need my girl [.] you mean so much to me you have no idea. I am so proud of you. I am so proud to be your mama.”
It is worth noting that when Shanna announced the older Moakler’s death, she stated, “This is the day I always feared, losing my best friend, support system, and beautiful mom. I honestly can’t find the words to express how loving, kind, and amazing she was.”
The “Hollywood Exes” star wrapped up, writing, “She was everything I hoped to be, and I will miss her every second of every day. I love you, mom. Kiss Vo vo for me and hug Mason. Please visit me in my dreams.”
The announcement was met with an influx of love and support from her fanbase, with one netizen commenting, “I’m so sorry for your loss. She sure was beautiful, as are you. Keep your head up high. You’ll see her in your dreams for sure.”
