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Melissa Rivers Remembers Mom Joan on the Anniversary of Her Death: “It’s Been Difficult”

Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers
Melissa Rivers reflected on the last year without her mother, Joan Rivers, in a statement released on the anniversary of the comedienne's death

Melissa Rivers is slowly adjusting to life without her famous mother, the late Joan Rivers. On Friday, Sept. 4, the one-year anniversary of the comedienne's untimely death at age 81, Melissa remembered her mom in a statement released via Joan's official Twitter

Related: PHOTOS: Joan Rivers tributes

"Today marks one year since my mother passed," the newly appointed Fashion Police host, 47, began. "This was the year of firsts: first holidays, first birthdays, first everythings without mom, without grandma." 

(Melissa has a son, Cooper, 14, from her marriage to ex-husband John Endicott. Cooper and his grandmother were very close.) 

Related: PHOTOS: Joan's life and career

"While it's been difficult," the Book of Joan author continued, "I've been amazed by the outpouring of love and overwhelming kindness we've received from family, friends, and people whose lives were touched by the woman they knew as Joan — a woman we all miss so very much." 

Melissa's tribute to her mom follows Fashion Police's special "Celebrating Joan" episode, which aired on Thursday, Sept. 3. The show featured several highlight reels of Joan working her comedy magic on stars including Kris Jenner, Big Sean, and Ellie Kemper, among others.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars gone too soon

Earlier this week, Melissa revealed that she and Cooper scattered some of Joan's ashes in Wyoming, where the trio used to take annual family vacations. "Cooper and I talk a lot about what would be the best way to hour her legacy, and the best way to honor her legacy is to be okay," she told Entertainment Tonight, admitting that she was "kind of a disaster" in the days leading up to the anniversary.

Related: PHOTOS: Joan and other stars we lost last year

"I'm just going to have a glass of wine," she added of her plans for Friday. "[Cooper's] going to go to school, I'm going to go to work and come home and light a candle."

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