It was 12 months ago this Wednesday when Carrie Fisher — writer, mother, actor and Princess Leia of the “Star Wars” franchise — passed away. Fisher’s tragic death came four days after what proved to be a fatal health emergency on plane during approach to Los Angeles International Airport.
The death of the woman who played such a central role in the childhoods (and, yes, adulthoods) of so many hit pretty hard in 2016, coloring the releases of both “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and this month’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” the movie that marked Fisher’s last on-screen appearance.
That sense of loss, of ache and of true, unvarnished adoration was apparent again Wednesday as celebrities and fans alike looked back on Fisher’s life with a smile on their digital faces and tears in their virtual eyes.
Using the 100-percent appropriate Twitter hashtag #CarrieOnForever, co-stars, friends and unconnected admirers weighed in. Fisher’s “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill paid his tributes, of course — but so did the organizers of the Women’s March and Merriam-Webster’s dictionary.
Some praised Fisher for her fierce feminism and the way she helped recast what a princess or a woman in a big-budget action film could be. Others remembered her defiance, her humor, her openness with her substance abuse and mental-health issues, or her refusal to grow old gracefully as our society often demands women do.
All seemed to speak from the heart, and with a deep sense of gratitude for someone who was so much more than one iconic role. It was an attitude perhaps best expressed by one user who wrote, “Thank you for everything, space mum.”
No one's ever really gone…#AlwaysWithUs #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/zsfuKHRSub
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) December 27, 2017
Speaking of talented beautiful badasses… Still Our Princess. #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/8HDO3se5jD
— Bill Sienkiewicz (@sinKEVitch) December 27, 2017
Our Princess and General…..#CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/o2YdTjpodT
— Funko (@OriginalFunko) December 27, 2017
My first love. If you’re missing #CarrieFisher today, give a listen to our SModcast eulogy from last year, “Good Night, Sweet Princess.” #CarrieOnForever https://t.co/LlMJEYorgD https://t.co/cIQQ8E97mv
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) December 27, 2017
I will be forever grateful to have known this most brilliant of humans. #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/PeLMj64bLS
— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) December 27, 2017
One year ago today. We will never forget you, Carrie Fisher, shero of the resistance and a role model to women and girls all over the world. #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/163iQfuMdI
— Women's March (@womensmarch) December 27, 2017
Keep calm & #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/buUhELMRNF
— Mike Denison (@mikd33) December 27, 2017
Among the meanings of 'princess':
– a woman having sovereign power
– a female member of a royal family
– a woman of high standing in her profession #CarrieOnForever https://t.co/OXEo6q86Cm— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) December 27, 2017
“Sometimes you can only find Heaven by slowly backing away from Hell”
That quote has got me through so much lately & it comes from my inspiration💚#CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/ZMvnJPmtm9— Erin ⴵ (@_erinmelizabeth) December 27, 2017
“Do not let what you think they think of you make you stop and question everything you are.” – Carrie Fisher (The Princess Diarist) #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/liFpUYWpmN
— Geek & Sundry (@GeekandSundry) December 27, 2017
Watching @carrieffisher portray the feisty, independent, and courageous #PrincessLeia during my childhood helped me understand what it means to be a strong female. Forever in my heart, missing you terribly…May The Force Be With You ❤ #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/JkBQjNrBJ8
— dee (@DeePunk15) December 27, 2017
Thank you for everything, space mum #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/bCn7FUkh3O
— dr. autumn 🌜✨ (@forautumniam) December 27, 2017
“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” ❤️ #CarrieOnForever
— Megan (@earendilstar) December 27, 2017
“save your sorrow for after the fight.” #CarrieOnForever pic.twitter.com/86GaJQspzM
— lex (@allexaao) December 27, 2017
