It has been less than a month since the passing of Linda Lavin, beloved for her role in Alice. While the world seems to have moved on, her husband, Steve Bakunas, continues to struggle with the grief of losing her. Lavin died unexpectedly on December 29, 2024, from complications related to lung cancer.
Her husband of nearly 20 years, Steve Bakunas, shared an emotional 17-minute video that detailed her diagnosis, final days, and her moving last words.
Linda Lavin said her final words on the drive to the hospital
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Linda Lavin was diagnosed with lung cancer just two months before her passing. She went for a CT scan when she discovered she was wheezing. The scan revealed two golf ball-sized tumors, one of which was obstructing her airway. Though the diagnosis was devastating, Lavin and Bakunas held on to hope that they could explore radiation as a treatment option.
The couple spent their last Christmas together in Malibu, joined by Lavin’s close friend, actress Barbara Weetman. Despite her tiredness, Lavin was still determined, she played games and even ensured her planned holiday roast was cooked. However, her condition worsened the day after Christmas, prompting Bakunas to rush her to Cedars-Sinai Hospital. It was during the drive to the hospital that Lavin made her final words to her husband, saying, “Honey, I want you to live your life.” Moments later, she added, “If I die, I want you to know that I love you so much.” Despite his efforts to save her, including administering CPR, Lavin passed away before paramedics could revive her.
Steve Bakunas is 20 years younger than Linda Lavin
Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin’s love story is one that survived all odds; according to The Daily Mail, Bakunas is 20 years her junior and despite the difference, the lovers lived a happy life together. The couple married on Valentine’s Day in 2005 after.
Reflecting on their nearly two-decade-long marriage, Bakunas described Lavin as a gift. “She empowered me with her love,” he said.