Remembering Johannah: Louis Tomlinson’s Mom Fought Leukemia In Silence For She Desired Nothing More Than Everyone’s Happiness

The death of Louis Tomlinson’s mother, Johannah Deakin, came as a surprise because she fought the aggressive form of cancer for months in silence. She was only 43.

In a statement issued to Mail Online, Johannah’s husband Dan said that the mother-of-seven was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year. Dan honored his wife for her selflessness even on the verge of death.

“Incredibly selfless, she would always look to put other people before herself. She desired nothing more than for everyone around her to be happy and loving. She worked tirelessly on numerous charity campaigns, creating memories for many individuals and their families.”

Johannah’s decision to fight in silence speaks a lot about her selflessness, which was evident ever since Louis started his journey as a One Direction member. Five weeks ago, she managed to share a picture of Louis and captioned it, “My perfect boy.” It was her last Instagram post.

Throughout the years, Johannah was a pillar of support for her children. She encouraged them on the paths that they had chosen. Her social media posts were testaments of her pride in her treasures.

The “Don’t Forget Where You Belong” singer similarly shared a photo of him with his mom. As the eldest child, Louis shared a special bond with his mom. During the early days of The X Factor, he was worried that his mom would feel lonely because her best friend was far away.

The family’s lifestyle has greatly changed ever since Louis became a part of the band. Nonetheless, Johannah made sure that her children remained grounded. She previously told the publication that Louis is not a materialistic person, but he has a fondness for spoiling the people close to him. She recalled how Louis would ask her about the trips his siblings wanted to have so that he could pay for them.

Prior to being diagnosed, Johannah fulfilled charitable duties with the help of her son. Late last year, they hosted a grand ball benefitting Believe in Magic, a charity devoted to making terminally ill children happy. The duo spent time with the kids, who were all dressed up like royals.

This year, she also stepped in to become a patron of Niamh’s Next Step, an organization raising funds for neuroblastoma research. The charity was established after a girl named Niamh Curry died of the cancer at five. Niamh’s father expressed gratitude to Johannah for noticing their small charity.

Sarah Hext, the mother of Louis’ “fly high buddy” Harvey, previously told The Huffington Post that the 1D member and his mom made a big difference in their lives before Harvey passed away.

“People don’t know the real Louis, Jay has told me that when Louis suffers a bad press day, he says to her ‘Come on mum, let’s make someone happy today.’ That’s the kind of man Louis is. Louis Tomlinson is very grounded, he is family orientated and both Louis and Jay hold a very special place in my family’s hearts.”

Apart from Louis, Johannah left behind Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, Phoebe and Daisy 12, and Ernest and Doris, 2. She was also a grandmother to Louis’ son, Freddie Reign.

Thousands of Directioners have expressed sadness and disbelief. They request their fellow fans to give the family privacy and to respect Johannah’s funeral. Louis’ friends in the industry likewise led the tributes on social media.

Louis will still appear on the finale of The X Factor where he will debut his single “Just Hold On.” The track is a tribute for Johannah. She was reportedly looking forward to watching her son return to the stage where he first made a name.

[Featured Image by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images]