She said: “My family and I are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support from so many people who have touched our lives during these past few days. I feel his strength and his warmth being reflected in all of you”, the 47-year-old singer said.
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Dion, wearing a shoulder-baring black dress and her hair in a soft bun, didn’t sing during the Las Vegas memorial but her famous discography was on display throughout the night. She praised Angelil for being kind and never hating a soul.
Angelil served as Dion’s manager for over a decade before marrying her in 1994.
“He protected me from day one to for the rest of my life, I am pretty sure of that”, she said.
“On behalf of my family, thank you again for being here for this lovely tribute of Monday amour, René, I love you, so much”.
Dion last released Loved Me Back to Life in 2013, and is scheduled to remain in residency at the Caesar’s Colosseum until 2019. She has been grieving privately with her three sons, René-Charles, 15, and five-year-old twins, Eddy and Nelson, but wrote an emotional open letter to fans on Friday to thank them for their support.
“Thank you also to the Government of Quebec for holding a national funeral, as well as to the many individuals and organisations who worked to provide a final tribute to the height of the man he was”.
Mother and son sat on stage along with Angelil’s other children from previous marriages and his brother, as memories were shared from guests ranging from Dion’s longtime agent and friends in the music business to Caesars executives and a Las Vegas charity for people with disabilities.
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Rene lost his battle with cancer in Henderson, Nevada, just two days ahead of his 74th birthday.
