Patti Newton: “I think he’s sort of here with me and he will always will be.”

Patti Newton has given an interview to The Morning Show as she prepares to return to the limelight.

A Mother’s Day Concert this Sunday will mark her first performane following the death of husband Bert Newton last October.

She told hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies about finding strength through the support of family and friends.

“It’s a really odd feeling because to be honest, some days it feels like forever and other days it feels like yesterday,” she said.

“I’m very lucky, I have a beautiful daughter, Lauren, and six grandkids that keep me very busy and we always talk about him a lot. I think because he’s very much present in the house, and everywhere we go, it does help. I think he’s sort of here with me and he will always will be.

“I didn’t want him to suffer anymore. So I probably am relieved that he’s in a safe place and resting peacefully, and he’s still surrounded by a lot of love. I think that’s what gets me through. It’s not easy. But it never is.”

Patti has also been inundated with well-wishes from the public since Bert’s passing.

“I have had the most unbelievable messages and letters and emails from people …things that I did not know anything about. Stories that have been told to me. I probably complained about the fact that he was always giving people chocolates and programs and flying them in to watch a theatre show that he was in,” she said.

“But now I’m so thrilled that he did. I’ve had letters from the Marist Brothers and people that worked in the TAB or the local dry cleaners that he gave tickets to. Now, I’m grateful that he did all that.”

Bert was also very appreciative of a card Larry Emdur had sent while he was recuperating from his operation.

“You said beautiful things in the card and it was handwritten, and you’d sent it to (our) home,” she told Larry Emdur. “I think he appreciated that more than anything because he was around to actually read it. He kept it on a side table and say ‘Read me that card again.’ I just think it’s probably something we all should remember: it’s lovely to have all these accolades when people go, but it’s also very nice to have something said to you so meaningful and lovingly.”

Tix to Mother’s Day Concert in Melbourne are available here.