Olivia Newton-John memorial details announced

Olivia Newton-John’s husband has spoken of her death and what helped him after her tragic loss, as details of her memorial - and who is performing - are revealed.

Exclusive: Olivia Newton-John was free of pain and “very clear” of thought in her final days, her widower has revealed.

In an exclusive interview with News Corp, beloved husband John Easterling explained the iconic Australian singer and actress was focused right to the very end on her charity work, helping cancer patients enjoy a better quality of life.

He also released a series of his favourite photos of the couple — never-before-seen images which give him strength and the will to carry on almost seven months on from her own cancer death at age 73.

“She was very clear and very alive and very conscious and not in pain. So there was a quality of life there as that time that I think is so critical,” Mr Easterling said.

“That was part of Olivia’s great contribution with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center … providing a real quality of life for people was close to heart. That’s a lot of the focus there and was with Olivia too through her entire journey.”

One of John Easterling’s favourite pictures of him and Olivia Newton John. Picture: Kathryn Burke

Mr Easterling’s comments come as details of the Grease star’s state memorial in Melbourne are released.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a 90 minute “celebration of life” would be held on Sunday, February 26 starting at 4pm in Hamer Hall.

Speakers will represent her family, her services to entertainment and to cancer research and wellness, with video messages from local and international celebrities.

Delta Goodrem, who played Newton-John in the biopic of her life, will perform a six minute medley of Newton-John’s biggest hits.

The service will be free but ticketed in line with the capacity of Hamer Hall. Members of the public must register to attend with ticket registrations opening at 12 pm on Friday February 10 2023. Registrations close by 4pm February 22.

“Dame Olivia Newton-John was an inspiration to many around the world – her work in cancer research and treatment saved lives and changed lives and her music was the soundtrack to a generation,” Mr Andrews said.

“We know Victorians are eager to celebrate the life of a driving force in medical research and an icon of film and music, with a service befitting her international acclaim,” he said.

Mr Easterling will share stories about Newton-John at her memorial service in Melbourne. Picture: Manfred Baumann

Mr Easterling said he would tell stories about Newton-John people hadn’t heard before at the memorial.

“Just to share some of the human side of what an extraordinary person she was,” he said from the home they shared in California.

Mr Easterling said the family are grateful to the Andrews Government and Victoria for hosting the state memorial.

“I have to say that I’m just especially grateful for all the love and support that’s come from Australia to myself and to Chloe, and to the family here. It’s been so, so much appreciated,” he said.

“Qantas is helping with some of the airfares and things for the family to get down there. So the supports comes from so many places, and it really does mean something, it’s been very helpful.”

The businessman said nothing could have prepared him for ONJ’s death.

Mr Easterling and Newton-John at the Walk for Wellness raised funds to provide wellness programs.

Newton-John’s Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Heidelberg, Melbourne, is one of her legacies. Picture: Nicole Cleary

All he wanted to do at the time was to spend time with close family members away from the glare of the public, remembering their “joyful and happy” moments.

“The last few months has obviously been a time of grieving and reflection, of memories and sharing and healing. I’m very fortunate to have my brother out here, my sister came out to California [as well]. I was fortunate to be able to have the time to really just be with them in privacy and in silence for a few days. I wasn’t eager to re-engage in the world and come out of that,” Mr Easterling said.

While time helps, he said he would mourn Newton-John forever.

Newton-John was 73 when she died in August 2022.

Delta Goodrem will sing at the state memorial for Newton-John.

“Of course, it’ll go on for a lifetime,” he said.

Mr Easterling said Newton-John’s focus was always on other people.

“She had an uncommon ability to care, I mean genuinely and authentically care, for so many other people,” he said.

This mindset meant she would probably have been surprised by the worldwide outpouring of grief that followed her death.

“I’m sure she understood the law of reciprocity and how that rolls back around – but all the accolades and the things for her talents and her contributions and the things she’s contributed to the world coming at her … She would kind of brush that off. She was just busy focusing on living her life being a joyful spirit,” he said.

Tickets and more information about the memorial service visit https://www.vic.gov.au/state-service-dame-olivia-newton-john-ac-dbe

To donate to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre visit https://olivia-newtonjohn-cancer-wellness-and-research-centre.raisely.com/

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Originally published as Olivia Newton-John memorial details announced