Late Shannen Doherty credited her mom Rosa for raising her to be 'very strong' while battling cancer

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Shannen Doherty died from cancer on July 13, 2024. 

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actress succumbed to her death at the age of 53 after a long battle with cancer. A few months earlier, in November 2023, she spoke to PEOPLE magazine about her mother's strength. The resurfaced interview gives an insight into the loving bond she had shared with her mother. 

She emphasized that her mother taught her to be resilient and described herself as a "fighter" who never gives up and is always committed to working hard, regardless of the challenges

Her mom, who was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm when Doherty was just 8 years old, instilled tenacity in her. 

Shannen Doherty recalls from where she got her 'fighter' spirit

In the November 2023 interview, Shannen Doherty credited her fighting spirit to her mother Rosa before succumbing to cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2015. After a period of remission, her cancer resurfaced in 2020 and by then it was at Stage 4.

The actress stated in the past interview, “I come from a woman who was determined.” She further emphasized how her mother instilled that mindset in her from a young age. "She impressed that upon me as a very young child like, 'You don't give up. You just have to work hard at it.'"

“I think I was always a fighter,” Doherty continued. “I was raised that way to be very strong and that I could do anything that I put my mind to.” 

Throughout the ups and downs in her health journey, Doherty relied on her loved ones for support, including her mother.

"I don't think that there's a decision that I make that I don't take [my mom] into consideration. I love her, and I am so incredibly grateful to her for being an amazing mother," she shared. "I take my brother into consideration and his children, my dog, my animals."

Shannen Doherty once called Rosa the ‘best mom in the world’

In December 2023, Shannen Doherty celebrated her mother Rosa's 76th birthday, writing, “Happy birthday to the best mom in the world. I love you to the moon and back times infinity. @themamarosa.” 

She also shared a photo of them enjoying the outdoors, captioning it, “Tennessee girls.” The pair even took a dance class together in 2017, before Doherty's death.

“Moving it! Love how my mom has such spirit and keeps up with us even though Neda and I constantly change things midway,” Doherty captioned the video of their dance moves.

Shannen Doherty had called her mom her 'priority'

In an April episode of her podcast 'Let's Be Clear', the 'Charmed' star stated that her “priority” was her mother amid her ongoing health challenges.

"Because it’s going to be so hard on her, I want other things to be a lot easier," she explained. “I don’t want her to have a bunch of stuff to deal with. I don’t want her to have four storage units filled with furniture." 

Doherty also shared how she had started sorting through her belongings and had also let go of her dream of owning a property in Tennessee, in case she died before her mother.

"It was really hard and really emotional because, to a certain extent, I felt like I was giving up on this dream of building this property out, and putting a house for me and a house for my mom and then extending the barn," she admitted, but ultimately called it “the right thing to do.”

Who are Shannen Doherty's parents?

Shannen Doherty's parents were John Thomas Doherty Jr, who worked in banking before starting a transportation business, and Rosa Elizabeth Doherty, who owned a beauty salon.

Her father, whom she deeply admired, died in 2010 at the age of 66.

Shannen now precedes her mother with her death at age 53. At 44, she was first diagnosed with cancer, and then in 2023, the cancer metastasized and by November 2023, it had spread to her bones and brain. 

The actress had since early this year been increasingly aware of her mortality. In January she even revealed that she was already making plans for her funeral. 

Shannen Doherty's fans celebrated her for paying tribute to mother Rosa

Shannen Doherty's death has sent shockwaves through the internet, with many social media users remembering her admirable qualities.

Fans have continued to express their praise for Doherty, particularly for the tribute she gave to her mother in 2023 for instilling in her the tenacity to face health challenges. 

One social media user wrote, "Awe. Beautiful tribute to her mama. Love strong women. Shannon fought the good fight!! Cancer sucks."

Another wrote, "That’s really inspiring. It’s amazing how much strength and resilience we can learn from our parents. Shannen Doherty's journey is truly a testament to that." 

One person shared, "RIP Shannon! I pray for her momma! I cannot imagine having to lose a child. Shannon loved her momma so much. Which is a testament to what a great mother she was to Shannon."

Another added, "Dear Rosa. My deepest condolences to you. Shannen Doherty, was so full of life she was very kind person. Hugz and Love To You." 

One individual, who was concerned about Doherty's tireless battle, wrote, "So sorry for your loss Shannon was a true hero and warrior she fought with determination and did it with such grace and dignity she fought a long hard and tireless battle and now she is at peace and an angel who will be by your side forever."

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