CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Elizabeth Edwards died Tuesday after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 61.
A family friend told the Associated Press that Edwards passed away at her North Carolina home at 10:15 a.m. Her death comes just a day after the Edwards family said doctors had decided against further treatment for her breast cancer and that she only had a short time left to live.
She spent her final days with her estranged husband, former presidential candidate John Edwards, and their three children.
"Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth’s presence but she remains the heart of this family," the Edwards family said in a statement. "We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life."
"On behalf of Elizabeth we want to express our gratitude to the thousands of kindred spirits who moved and inspired her along the way," the statement continued. "Your support and prayers touched our entire family."
In a farewell message posted on her Facebook page, Edwards expressed her love for everyone who had supported her over the years.
"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope," she began. "These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined."
"The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that," continued Edwards. "And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful."
She ended, "It isn’t possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know. With love, Elizabeth."
Edwards was first diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2004.
