Widow of Shane MacGowan suffers another personal loss after death of sister

Sarah Slater

Victoria Mary Clarke, the widow of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, has suffered another personal loss following the death of her sister.

Less than two years after the death of MacGowan, Ms Clarke announced the death of her sister Vanessa on Friday night.

The 59-year-old described her sister as her “best friend” since they were babies.

In a social media tribute she said: “My beautiful sister Vanessa died last night. She has been my best friend since we were babies and she was the embodiment of kindness and compassion and one of the most selfless and caring humans on this planet.”

Ms Clarke added that Vanessa was the “best and the brightest and the smartest woman you could meet and she looked after everyone around her and she was interested in everything.

“We were all blessed to have had her in our lives even though it wasn’t nearly long enough. I’m devastated without her and she will leave an enormous void in our lives.

“She loved Shane MacGowan like a sister and he adored her so I hope and pray that he was waiting for her when she crossed over and that he is looking after her and that she is feeling the love that we are all sending her for her journey onwards.

“Bless you my darling sister, I love you forever.”

The Pogues frontman died in November 2023 with pneumonia following a lengthy battle with his health. The couple married in 2018 but were together for several years prior to their wedding.

Singer Imelda May was one of the first to offer her condolences, writing: “I’m so sorry. She was so vivacious, beaming with love and lovely to be around. She’ll be missed by many.”