The memory of late Broadway star Nick Cordero was remembered during a private memorial service with close family and friends on Saturday (July 11).
Cordero’s wife, Amanda Kloots, who regularly updated the Tony-nominated actor’s fans on social media during his grueling battle with the coronavirus, took to Instagram over the weekend to share details of the “beautiful and perfect” gathering.
“I said, ‘Nick would have wanted this to be a celebration. Let’s try to laugh, share great stories and sing for him and to his memory,'” Kloots captioned a photograph of herself with the couple’s 1-year-old son on her shoulders. “He would have loved it. It was beautiful and perfect. His spirit was definitely there.”
Cordero, who was known for his work in Bullets Over Broadway, Waitress and A Bronx Tale the Musical, died from COVID-19 complications on July 5. He was 41.
Kloots noted that attendees also listened to the song “I’m Here” from The Color Purple during the emotional service.
“Nick and I saw this show on Broadway years ago and we left the theater in tears, speechless,” the fitness instructor and former Broadway dancer wrote. “As it was being played last night the lyrics in the second half of the song hit me hard. Truly, I am scared. Scared of my new normal, of the pain, the loss and being strong enough to get through it. But, I know Nick is up above routing for me, believing in me and hoping for me.”
She added, “He wants me to LIVE this new life and he wants me to be the best version of myself for our son. I promised him in the hospital that I would try to do that. So, when I heard these lyrics yesterday I thought, ‘Ok. When I’m doubting if I can get through this, I’m playing this song. It will be my motto.'”
Kloots also shared the lyrics to “I’m Here” and recommended listening the version sung by English actress Cynthia Erivo.
See Kloots’ full Instagram post here.
