Damian Lewis pays sweet tribute to late wife Helen McCrory four months after her death

Helen McCrory died of cancer aged 52 in 2021, to honor her memory, her husband Damian Lewis attended an event that paid tribute to his late wife.

Damian was spotted in London watching the Sir Hubert Von Herkomer (HVH) Arts Foundation performing ‘A Brave New World’ in honor of Helen McCrory.

Since her death, Debbi Clark, the CEO, and Founder of HVH Arts, spoke lovingly about her friend and hero. 

“The shining light of my friend and hero Helen McCrory will live on forever in the work we do," said Debbi. "We will be strong and try with all our might to smile today, but we will smile as that is what Helen McCrory did, she smiled, she gave, she enjoyed life to the full."

“Helen McCrory a force of nature, passionate, dedicated to the arts and culture.  Not only was she one of the world’s most brilliant actors, mesmerizing on-screen—off-screen she was fearless, she was funny, she was selfless, she was a philanthropist and gave so much to so many.”

Helen had been a patron of the HVH Arts charity since 2013. The organization works to provide access to art education for disadvantaged children and young people by providing access to free workshops.

woman&home previously interviewed Helen McCrory on her passion for charity work where she spoke about her role as a patron for the charity.

Debbi announced that in her friend's memory, she has set up an award named the ‘McCrory award. She announced, “Today we have set up the ‘McCrory Award’ in which all donations in the honour of  Helen McCrory OBE will be put into this fund. The Award will be given each year to support underprivileged young people with their journey in the arts. "

“To enable them to reach their full potential whether it be support in college fees, support for the resources needed to develop their skills in the discipline of their chosen medium, or support with one-on-one tuition in their art.”

Debbi concluded that Helen was one of the most 'inspiring women' she knew, and this award would honor her late friend's values. "Helen always believed that every child should have equal opportunities in the arts, she was a huge believer in that the arts should be accessible to every child."

"Helen was the most inspiring women I have had the honour to call my friend, my patron, my beautiful one," said Debbi.

The Peaky Blinders star dealt with her diagnosis privately and it was reported that friends of Helen McCrory only knew about her cancer diagnosis days before she passed away.

Her passing was announced to the public in April 2021, when her husband and fellow actor Damian shared an emotional tribute to his late wife.

“I'm heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family."

“She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you,” said his statement.

A source told the Daily Mail that Helen left a hilarious parting message for her family. The star said, "You must all love again, love isn't possessive, but you know, Damian, try at least to get through the funeral without snogging someone."

Since Helen's passing, "There's been no shortage of female friends 'dropping by' to see him and the children," said the source to the Daily Mail.

However, according to the source, the efforts to comfort the widower may be in vain. "Damian is not keen on venturing out onto the dating scene again. He's still mourning Helen," they said.