Patrick Swayze passed away 24 hours before the time noted on his death certificate – and the actor’s loved ones used that time to say their final goodbyes during an emotional "cowboy wake," The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively.
While the 57-year-old actor’s death was announced to the world on Monday, Sept. 14, he actually lost his 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer around 10 a.m.the previous day, a family insider revealed.
The week before he passed, the beloved star had been bedridden at his California home. He was on heavy doses of pain medication, and slipped into a coma about 36 hours before he died, said the source.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, his wife Lisa called his mother Patsy and brother Donny to his bedside, said the source.
"It was down to a matter of moments," the insider divulged.
"They walked in and stood around Patrick’s bed. Patsy and Lisa held his hands and told him it was time to stop fighting. They told him they loved him and it was OK to go.
"By 10 a.m., he was gone. Lisa, Don and Patsy all sat quietly with him for a while."
Then Lisa – Swayze’s wife of 34 years – began to prepare for a "cowboy wake," said the insider. Instead of calling in a mortician, she lovingly prepared Patrick herself for an old-fashioned at-home funeral.
"First Lisa removed the medicine and supplies from the room. Then she cleaned up Patrick and dressed him in a nice shirt and slacks," the source divulged.
"The bed linens were changed, and Patrick was laid back down on the bed. He looked like he was napping. He was so peaceful. ‘Finally,’ Lisa said, ‘no more pain.’"
Within the next four hours, about 40 loved ones came to say their final goodbyes, said the source.
"Some just stood there looking at Patrick, saying silent prayers. Some kissed him goodbye, and some told his family how wonderful and brave he’d been, and that they’d never forget him," said the insider.
Afterward, "the coroner, who had been notified earlier, came to pick up Patrick’s body, and cremation was scheduled.
"Lisa had been strong, but once his body was put into the van and it pulled away, she broke down in tears."
It was then that Patrick’s death was announced to the rest of the world.
According to the family friend, Swayze’s ashes will be strapped into the co-pilot’s seat on his plane and flown to his ranch in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
"Patrick loved that ranch and always wanted it to be his final resting place," said the source. "Lisa will take his ashes there, and they will be scattered on the property."
