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David Cassidy, 1971 | David Cassidy and Beau Cassidy, 1991 | Sue Shifrin-Cassidy and David Cassidy, 2001 | Source: Getty Images | Facebook.com/David-Cassidy

• David Cassidy passed at age 67, surrounded by loved ones.

• Not long before his passing, the late star spoke to his son about his dementia.

• David's ex-wife still loves him and shared a touching tribute on the fifth anniversary of his death.

In November 2017, David Cassidy's family released a statement revealing that the star had passed away at age 67. His family described him as an uncle, a father, and a dear brother.

They said he died surrounded by his loved ones, free from pain, and with a joyful heart. The star's family also thanked his fans for supporting him throughout the years.

David Cassidy as Keith Partridge on season two of "The Partridge Family" on May 22, 1972 | Source: Getty Images

David was most famous for starring as Keith Partridge on "The Partridge Family" in the 1970s. The week before the late actor passed, he was hospitalized for a week in intensive care for kidney and liver failure.

He died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from organ failure. His intensive care stay wasn't the first time that year that he'd struggled with medical issues, as in February 2017, he confessed that he had dementia.

David Cassidy performs at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Queens on November 21, 2009, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

The actor's ex-wife, Sue Shifrin-Cassidy, son Beau Cassidy, daughter Katie, brothers Patrick, Shaun, and Ryan, step-mother Shirley Jones, cousins, several nephews and nieces survived him.

On November 21, 2022, Sue took to her Instagram account to share a throwback video of memories with the late star and Maroon 5's "Memories" as the soundtrack. The clip also showed David with Beau when he was a little boy.

Sue honored her ex-husband's fifth death anniversary by writing a touching tribute to him. The late actor's ex-wife noted how the day was and would always be challenging because the memories were "clear and moving" on that day.

She couldn't believe it had been five years since David passed. The star's ex concluded her loving post by thanking those who loved and still felt that way about her father's child, with a fan commenting:

"You were truly the love of his life. May his memory be eternal."

David Cassidy on "The Partridge Family" in 1971 | Source: Getty Images

It was clear Sue still loved Beau's father and remembered him, although they divorced years before his death. She and their son spent quality time with David before he passed.

Inside David's Final Hours with Ex-wife and Their Son

During the same month of David's death, Sue told People magazine that the time had been "catalytic" for their family. She felt it had been a chance for family members to unite and share in the sorrow and joy of her ex-husband's life.

When the actor's family discovered he'd been hospitalized, Beau, Katie, Sue, Shaun, and Patrick rushed to be by his side. His family all reunited to support him, with the publication's source revealing:

"He was delighted to see them."

Beau and David Cassidy and Sue Shifrin-Cassidy at the Fairway to Heaven Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 21, 1998 | Source: Getty Images

David allegedly lit up like a Christmas tree when they arrived, and it was clear his family would always be there for him. Patrick recalled how no one had ever made him laugh like his late sibling before confessing:

"We spent our final days together just laughing."

Sue and David Cassidy at Disney's California Adventure for a private pre-opening party on February 7, 2001, in Anaheim, California | Source: Getty Images

Beau, 31 in 2022, never left David's side and shared how grateful he was having had the chance to love and hold his best friend in his last moments. Sue remained close to the late star despite being his ex.

Why Did Sue Divorce David but Was Close to Him till His Last Breath?

In 2014, after 23 (26 according to others) years of marriage, Sue filed for divorce from David. However, she still wished him well with getting help through rehabilitation for his addiction issues and said she was confident he would return stronger and better,

The actor's ex-wife revealed that deciding to divorce the star wasn't something that happened suddenly and had been in the background for a while. Despite that, she explained how she was heartbroken about their marriage's end.

TMZ said the couple had been living separately for four months. In April 2022, Sue shared an image of herself and a grown-up Beau, revealing that she'd never held a baby before he was born.

David Cassidy and his wife Sue Shifrin-Cassidy during David Cassidy Visits Mother Shirley Jones and Brother Patrick Cassidy Backstage at "42nd Street" on Broadway on May 15, 2004, in New York City, New York | Source: Getty Images

David's ex said she'd been told that she'd never be a mother and had accepted that fate. When she was 40, her mother had a stroke, and six weeks later, Sue discovered she was pregnant for the first time in her life.

Sue [Shifrin-Cassidy] said she'd been around it all, and her heart bled for him [David Cassidy], but he got back up each time.

She explained how she and David hadn't been trying to have a child because they knew it was impossible. However, the former couple had a "miracle" when their son was born.

Beau was the only person who was completely aware and supportive of David through his dementia struggle. The actor had kept the diagnosis a secret from everyone except his son.

The star shared how the boy didn't quite understand what was happening to his father and thought he was slightly off. Beau would cock his head, ask his father if he remembered, and sometimes give him reminders.

David described his son as a beautiful person. In 2018, a Facebook fan page honoring the late star's life shared Sue's take on their marriage with the actor's ex, allegedly stating how she couldn't believe they were still together after 20 years.

David Cassidy and his son Beau Cassidy during MTV's 3rd Annual Rock 'n Jock Softball at Memorial Park in Long Beach, California, on January 23, 1992 | Source: Getty Images

She felt it had gone by quickly and revealed she loved David's spirit and that he was a survivor. The star's ex shared how she loved how he got up no matter how much he was kicked.

Sue said she'd been around it all, and her heart bled for him, but he got back up each time. She revealed he remained her of the "Terminator," and it was like he had a skeleton made of steel as he survived the rollercoaster of life.

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