Shane MacGowan’s widow dealt fresh heartbreak as ‘warm and witty’ father dies just 15 months after Pogues singer’s death
Shane MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clark has announced the death of her beloved father Dave, just 15 months after losing The Pogues frontman.
The Irish journalist, 58, shared the heartbreaking news on social media platform X, revealing she was “struggling to process” his unexpected passing.
No cause of death was given for Dave Clark, who died on Saturday.
In an emotional tribute alongside a photo of herself with her father, Victoria wrote: “My beautiful father Dave passed away yesterday, it was a shock and it’s really hard to process.”
The devastating loss comes after Victoria’s husband, legendary Irish rocker Shane MacGowan, died “peacefully” with his family by his side in November 2023, aged 65.
Victoria described her father as “a total gentleman and a warm, witty, kind, fiercely intelligent man” in her heartfelt social media post.
My beautiful father Dave passed away yesterday, it was a shock and it’s really hard to process. He was a total gentleman and a warm, witty, kind, fiercely intelligent man who loved his family with all of his heart ❤️ and he loved acting and Westham. Love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dWvmynnkMG
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) February 17, 2025
She highlighted his deep love for his family, noting that he “loved his family with all of his heart.”
Dave Clark was also passionate about acting and was a devoted West Ham supporter, according to his daughter’s tribute.
The touching memorial emphasised his gentle nature and sharp intellect, painting a picture of a cultured and caring family man.
MacGowan had been battling viral encephalitis and had spent months in and out of Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital before his death last year.
Victoria has been open about her intense grief following her husband’s passing, revealing she had experienced “enormous amounts of desolation and despair.”
In an interview with The Independent, she disclosed there were days when she “definitely wanted to kill myself – I wanted to get out of here and go and be with him.”
The publication reported that Victoria had contacted suicide charity The Samaritans several times during her darkest moments.
She was supported through her anguish by loved ones, acknowledging there isn’t “a quick or easy way past” the grief.
In November, Victoria marked her wedding anniversary with MacGowan in a poignant social media post, revealing the depth of her ongoing grief.
Taking to Instagram with a photo from their wedding day, she wrote: “Today is our wedding anniversary and it is f***ing hard.”
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She continued: “I am just crying in bed and not feeling like there’s anything to live for. I miss him desperately, more than I even thought possible.”
The couple had been together since 1986, marrying in Copenhagen in 2018 after an 11-year engagement.
Victoria acknowledged in her anniversary post that while the emotions were overwhelming, she knew “there will be times when I can feel the joy again and the appreciation for everything that we shared.”