Chad Lowe and his wife, Kim Painter, gathered family and close friends over the weekend for a private celebration of life honoring their daughter Fiona.
The actor, 58, and casting director, 52, held the memorial for Fiona, who was 13 when she died by suicide on September 29, according to sources cited by People.
The family announced Fiona’s death in September, remembering her as a loving, intelligent and creative girl who adored dancing.
“She was adored by her sisters and deeply loved by her parents,” the family said. “She was the light of our lives.”
The Lowes also encouraged anyone experiencing a mental health crisis to contact a suicide prevention service for support.
Earlier this month, Lowe, Painter and their daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10, made their first public appearance since Fiona’s death when they attended a relative’s wedding.
Chad Lowe, 58, and his wife Kim Painter, 52, held a private celebration of life for their daughter Fiona over the weekend, weeks after her death at age 13
Family and close friends joined the couple to remember Fiona, pictured, after her death by suicide on September 29, sources told People
Despite their grief, Lowe was photographed smiling during the gathering, while Painter was seen embracing Nixie.
“Chad, Kim and the girls wanted to be surrounded by family this weekend,” a source told People. “Although this is an incredibly difficult time, their family has rallied around them.”
The insider added that the couple wanted their daughters to spend time with loved ones and have moments of happiness while remembering Fiona.
Lowe also returned to social media this month by sharing an Instagram Stories post featuring Irish writer Gerry Hussey.
The post came days after John Owen Lowe, the son of Chad’s brother Rob Lowe, shared a poem in Fiona’s memory.
In the excerpt from an appearance on Olivia Hunt’s On Healing podcast, Hussey reflected on what happens to the soul after death.
“It is a frequency. It’s an energy field, and we carry it within us all the time,” Hussey said. “We are all connected to that frequency.”
He continued by describing humanity as both human and divine, suggesting that death brings a return to “a state of peace and love.”
Although the video’s message resonated with the family’s loss, Lowe did not add a personal comment when he reposted it.
His social media return followed John Owen’s tribute, which focused on hope in the aftermath of Fiona’s death.
The Lowes announced Fiona’s death in September, describing her as a loving, intelligent and creative girl who loved to dance
Chad and Kim were pictured with Fiona and their daughters Mabel, 17, and Nixie, 10, in an Instagram photo
John Owen Lowe, 30, recently shared a poem about hope following Fiona’s death; he is pictured with his father in 2024
Chad and Rob Lowe are pictured together at Sting’s birthday celebration in New York City in 2003
John Owen, 30, the youngest son of the Brat Pack star, shared Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” on his Instagram Stories.
The poem begins by portraying hope as a bird that lives in the soul, singing continuously without asking anything in return.
It goes on to describe hope enduring even the fiercest storms and offering warmth through hardship.
The final lines emphasize that hope remains present through the coldest places and most difficult circumstances.
Rob and John were also seen arriving at Chad’s Los Angeles home earlier this month.
John, Rob’s second son with wife Sheryl Berkoff, 65, joined relatives who have publicly remembered Fiona, including Mabel.
Mabel paid tribute to her younger sister with a collection of childhood photographs showing the pair growing up together.
“I love you so much, Fiona,” Mabel wrote in a Saturday post. She said she hoped her sister was at peace, promised to honor her memory forever and added that she wished Fiona had known how deeply she was loved.
The slideshow included images of the sisters at the beach, Fiona riding in a car surrounded by birthday balloons, the girls cuddling in a pet bed, and the siblings sharing moments in a wagon, at a park and in a dance studio.
Mabel’s message was one of several tributes shared by people who knew and loved Fiona.
She also reposted videos from Fiona’s former dance teacher and from the youth group and summer camp the teenager attended.
One of the tributes came from Kendra Andrews, a teacher and choreographer at the Los Angeles dance studio where Fiona trained.
The Lowes’ father, Charles Lowe, also shared a tribute to his granddaughter; he is pictured with Rob at the 2002 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles
“Rest in peace, sweet Fiona,” he wrote beside a photograph of her swimming in a pool
Andrews began her lengthy tribute by recalling the Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed the family’s home.
“This first video was taken only a month after you lost your home in the fire,” Andrews wrote. She remembered Fiona arriving at the studio with her usual bright smile, enthusiasm and a warm hug.
The post also included footage of Fiona rehearsing a dance routine she had spent weeks perfecting.
Andrews said Fiona’s dedication was clear when she returned for a second rehearsal, having worked outside the studio to refine every part of the performance.
She explained that she chose not to film Fiona’s performance onstage because she wanted to remain fully present and watch from the wings.
“FiFi, I love you more than words can convey,” Andrews wrote. “It was an honor to teach you, laugh with you and watch you grow. Our hearts are shattered. We will never be the same without you.”
Andrews also sent her love to Fiona’s parents and sisters, writing, “Chad, Kim, Mabel and Nixie, I love you and I’m thinking of you nonstop.”
Widget Works, a youth group and camp offering beach outings, ocean activities and outdoor adventures in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, also shared a moving tribute.
Mabel reposted a video of Fiona spending time at the beach with friends and talking about her stuffed pumpkin pillow, which she had named “Mr. Pumpkin.”
“He’s a lopsided pumpkin,” Fiona said with a smile in the clip.
“Thank you, Fiona, for all the beautiful years we were able to frolic, dance, laugh and love each other,” Widget Works wrote.
The organization thanked Fiona for being part of its community and for sharing her creativity, affection and spirited personality.
“We will miss you, and we will look for you in every wave and every seagull squawk,” the tribute continued. “We will chant your name among the ‘we are proud of yous.’”
Widget Works added that Fiona would remain part of its summers and that the group would continue honoring the memories they made with her.
Chad Lowe, known for roles in ER, 24, Melrose Place and Now and Again, spoke about being a “girl dad” on the Still Here Hollywood podcast in August 2024
Emergency responders went to the family’s home at 12:10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29. Fiona was taken to a nearby hospital, where the Medical Examiner said she was pronounced dead at 1:14 a.m.
Lowe, whose television credits include ER, 24, Melrose Place and Now and Again, discussed fatherhood during an August 2024 appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.
“Having daughters is such an incredible privilege,” he said.
He explained that raising three daughters had made issues including gender inequality and sexism feel personal, adding that he now viewed the world through their perspective.
The proud father also recalled taking his daughters to Taylor Swift’s 2023 concert. Sharing photos from the night, he wrote, “It’s official, I’m a certified Swiftie Dad! I totally get it now! What an awesome night!”
Lowe married Painter after his first marriage to actress Hilary Swank ended in divorce in 2007 following 10 years together.
In 1993, he won an Emmy for his supporting performance on the comedy-drama series Life Goes On, in which he played a man living with HIV.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States at 988. Online chat support is also available at 988lifeline.org.
