Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery attended a private funeral service for her late fiancé, John Dineen, on Wednesday, December 16, after he died at age 34 this week from a rare form of cancer.
The funeral mass was held at the St. James' Church in Ballinora, County Cork, in Ireland. Dockery, who was dressed in head-to-toe black according to multiple UK media outlets, entered the service along with other close friends and family members.
Dineen's family has been grappling with "deep loss" since his death in a hospice, the family's priest, Friar Declan Mansfield, told the Belfast Telegraph on Wednesday. The private service was held three days after Dineen passed away on Sunday, December 13, at the Marymount Hospice in Cork.
Dockery's rep confirmed to Us Weekly yesterday that Dineen had passed away this weekend. "The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received," her rep said. "But would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private."
The Emmy-nominated actress and Dineen, a PR professional, first met back in 2013 after being introduced by mutual friend, Downton star Allen Leech. "I have a wonderful man in my life from Ireland. We were introduced by Allen Leech. That's all you need to know," the tight-lipped actress said last year.
Dineen lived in London but returned to his native Ireland in early 2015 to be with his family after he was diagnosed with cancer. Days before his death, Dockery flew to Ireland from America to be by his side. She marked her 34th birthday on Tuesday.
