Suzanne Somers was buried in the unique pair of shoes that celebrated her love story.
Somers’ husband Alan Hamel, 87, shared with PEOPLE that Three’s Company star, who died Oct. 15 of breast cancer, was laid to rest wearing a pair of shoes that had a sentimental connection to the pair — Timberland boots he bought for her and customized with heartfelt handwritten notes.
PEOPLE has obtained photos of the special shoes that featured the words “in love forever” written in red block letters on the left boot, along with a sentimental drawing of a man and woman next to each other on top of the word “love.” The drawings appeared to be Picasso-like, with people’s faces drawn in squiggly lines and decorated with pinks and reds.
The other side of the boot also featured the words “twice a day” in block red letters, a cheeky reference to the couple’s intimacy.
Hamel gave Somers the left boot with the words “we are one” written on it.
Courtesy of Alan Hamel
Suzanne Somers’ husband revealed why she was laid to rest in Timberland boots
On the right boot, the words “we are one” were emblazoned with an arrow pointing to the front of the shoe that depicted an outline of what appeared to be distinct red lines emerging from a black and blue spiral.
Hamel noted that he originally bought the shoes so she would have something to hike in and drew “a few words that kind of represented our life and made them very personal for Suzanne.”
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A look at the hand-drawn figures created by Hamel on Somers’ left shoe.
Courtesy of Alan Hamel
“Every time she put on her Timberlands, she said, ‘I’m carrying you, and my boots will protect me,’” he told PEOPLE.
Tributes pour in for Suzanne Somers after actress’ death at 76: ‘Most glamorous person I’ve ever met’
The Canadian entertainer shared with PEOPLE that the couple, who lived by the mountains in Malibu and Palm Springs for 50 years, developed an “early morning routine” where they would hike “to the tops of” the mountains “where there was a stream and a big flat rock in the middle of the stream .”
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Hamel gave Somers the left boot that said “twice a day.”
Courtesy of Alan Hamel
“By the time we got there, which was about a two-hour hike, the rock was warmed by the morning sun,” says Hamel. “We’d have lunch on the rock, then take an hour nap on the rock, then come back down and go to work.”
At the time of her death, the actress was surrounded by Hamel, her son Bruce and other close family members. She died a day before her 77th birthday, and several family members gathered to celebrate her birthday, while others drove up on the day of her birthday.
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Photo of a spiral drawn by Hamel on personalized boots.
Courtesy of Alan Hamel
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Somers’ family celebrated her life and legacy on Nov. 30, when the actress’ closest friends and family gathered to “celebrate Suzanne’s incredible life” and her illustrious Hollywood career.
A second memorial service will be held in Somers’ hometown of San Bruno, California this week, and the family will release parts of the celebration later this month.
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Source: HIS Education