Cressida Bonas' half-sister, Pandora Cooper-Key, has sadly passed away at the age of 51 after a two-decade battle with various cancers. Pandora, daughter of former socialite Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon and aristocrat Esmond Cooper-Key, was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 26 in 2000.
She revealed in a March interview with Femail that her family had already planned her funeral "thousands of times" following a recent diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumour. Late last year, Pandora, from west London, was told that a tumour had developed on the left side of her skull which could not be surgically removed. This led to rounds of immunotherapy in the hope of recovery.
Throughout her long journey, Pandora faced multiple cancer diagnoses, including Paget's disease (a rare cancer of the milk duct), sarcoma, and other tumours. In 2016, she experienced a period of seizures, sometimes leaving her unconscious for a week. Despite her health struggles, Pandora remained incredibly resilient, launching her own ceramics business, Curzon Blue, in 2022.
The business, which showcased her love for glassware, was named after a cocktail created by her mother's fourth husband and held a special significance to her. Curzon Blue became a source of solace for Pandora, who would continue to frequent Portobello Market in search of glassware for her business even during her illness.
Despite her strength and determination, Pandora admitted that the past few months had been the most difficult, with the pain and fatigue taking a toll on her emotional wellbeing.
A notice in The Times described Pandora as a "beloved daughter", "adored mother", "much-loved sister" and "devoted aunt". She passed away on 22nd July.
Sarcoma UK, a charity Pandora passionately supported, shared a heartfelt tribute on their fundraising page, describing her as a "beautiful spirit" and "inspiration to so many". The charity's Director of Communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, added: "Her openness about her journey helped raise crucial awareness about sarcoma and the challenges faced by patients. Pandora's legacy extends far beyond her fundraising efforts; she touched countless lives with her warmth and resilience."
Pandora leaves behind two sons from her previous relationship with TV producer Matthew Mervyn-Jones. Her family, friends, and the countless lives she touched through her courage and spirit will undoubtedly miss her dearly.
