Suzanne Somers' widower explains why actress was buried in Timberland boots

06 December 2023 , 15:32

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Alan gave his wife a touching final gift

Suzanne Somers' husband has confirmed that his wife was laid to rest with an unusual addition to her outfit.

The Three's Company star died from Breast Cancer on October 15 just one day short of her 77th birthday. Now Alan Hamel has spoken about the loss of his wife - and the reason for his final gift to his wife that she was laid to rest wearing.

Talking to PEOPLE, Alan, 87, explained: "Suzanne never really had boots designed for hiking on the rocks, so I ordered the Timberland boots. I made my gift personal by drawing on them in a few words that represented our life to some degree and made them very personal to Suzanne."

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Suzanne and Alan had a long happy marriage

The actress was battling cancer for many years

Alan went on to describe how Suzanne owned “every Manolo Blahnik ever made,” so it would "have been predictable but not very personal" to have her "wearing manolo blahniks for her final trip.” He continued: “Every time she put on the Timberlands, she said, ‘I am wearing you, and my boots will keep me safe.’”

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The couple lived near the mountains in Malibu and Palm Springs and over the years had an “early morning routine” that included “always included hiking to the top of one of the mountains, where there was a creek and a large flat rock in the middle of the creek."

Their routine called for the less than glamorous footwear which aided the couple in completing their regular "two-hour hike," as Alan shared how when they reached their final destination "the rock had been warmed by the morning sun," and they "would have our lunch on the rock and then take a one-hour nap on the rock and then hike back down and go to work.”

Alan wanted Suzanne to feel 'safe'

Suzanne was surrounded by Alan, her son Bruce and other members of their immediate family when she passed away. The family had been planning to gather for her birthday but instead came together on November 30 to "celebrate Suzanne’s incredible life" and her incredible career in showbiz.

They are now planning a second memorial for this week in her hometown of San Bruno, California. Alan said of their previous celebration: "I don't know what it will be, but it will involve a lot of cake, because Suzanne was crazy for cake."

Ayeesha Walsh