When Jock Zonfrillo passed away on April 30, he left behind a loving wife and two beautiful daughters – all three of whom are still learning to accept the fact that he’s no longer with us. With that said, one thing they have learned is that everyone grieves differently and we all have our own ways of mourning a death.
On Thursday (June 15), Zonfrillo’s wife, Lauren Fried, took to her late husband’s Instagram to show his followers one of the things their 2-year-old daughter, Isla, started doing recently. In an effort to keep her father close, Isla started sleeping with his clothes – which is what she was doing in the Instagram photo.
“Little Isla has started sleeping with Papa’s clothes, keeps him close,” Lauren wrote in the caption. The little girl was sleeping in her car seat and using one of her father’s shirts as a blanket. It’s something we see pets do when their owner leaves for an extended amount of time, just to keep their scent alive.
The comments section was filled with similar stories, including one Instagram user who claimed their children still wear their father’s clothes, even though he passed away nearly 19 years ago. Another fan pointed out that she can have his clothes made into a teddy bear – several companies are doing it.
For example, there’s one company called Quilting Memories that creates ‘Memory Bears’ out of a loved one’s clothing. “Our Memory Bears are lovingly handmade from clothing and belongings which are sentimental to you! Any type of clothing can be used,” their website reads – what an awesome idea!
Jock Zonfrillo, a renowned chef best known as a judge on MasterChef Australia, passed away on April 30 – he was just 46 years old and was supposed to appear in the premiere of MasterChef Australia’s newest season on May 1. That premiere got delayed after news of his death spread. The family was heartbroken.
“With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share Jock passed away yesterday,” the family wrote. “So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words.”
On June 4, Lauren Fried – the wife of Jock Zonfrillo – took to her late husband’s Instagram account to thank his followers for their continued love and support during this difficult time. She talked about how hard they worked on building up his social media and questioned if she should continue those efforts.
“I really wish that he knew how loved he was and he knew the impact he had on so many people,” she continued in the video. The next day, Lauren posted several photos of her and their children as they learn to live without their father. “Time together. Being close, letting them wander,” she wrote in the caption.
She also posted about some of her favorite books she has been reading the kids – her top-3 consisted of The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr, and Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen. Have you already read any of them?
“Books have been a bridge to help me explain to our little ones what has happened, what they are feeling, and that love is always around them,” she wrote in the caption. She also posted about a fun game Jock Zonfrillo used to enjoy with his friend – a game that was centered around making hilarious food puns.