http://www.news.com.au/world-news/slain-soldier-lee-rigbys-family-speaks-out-following-fatal-terror-attack-in-london/story-fndir2ev-1226650271407
It read: “Goodnight mum. I hope you had a fantastic day today, because you are the most fantastic, one in a million mum that anyone could ever wish for. Thank you for supporting me all these years. You're not just my mum, you're my best friend. Goodnight and love you loads."
The short note is now a treasured possession, the last farewell the Rigby family would receive.
His step father wanted to return the farewell.
“We would like to say goodnight, Lee,” he said, choking back tears.
"Rest in peace, our fallen soldier. We love you loads and words could not describe how loved and sadly missed you will be.”
Courtney and Amy, his younger sisters, also wrote a message which was read out.
“You fought for your country and did it well,” they wrote. “You will always be our hero, we are just upset you’ve left us so early. We love you Lee, goodnight.”
Lee Rigby reportedly was estranged from his wife Rebecca whom he married five years ago and is the mother of their two-year-old son Jack.
And while he had apparently had a girlfriend in the armed forces, Rebecca revealed that this weekend she and her husband were planning a reunion.
“I just want to say that I love Lee, I always will and I'm proud to be his wife,” she said. “He was due to come up this weekend so we could continue our future together as a family. He was a devoted father to our son Jack, and we'll both miss him terribly.”
Rebecca Rigby, mother of their two-year-old son Jack, said: "I love Lee and always will. I am proud to be his wife and he was due to come up this weekend so we could continue our future together as a family."
Mrs Rigby, sobbing back tears, added: "He was a devoted father to our son Jack and we will both miss him terribly."
Asked about the shock of the attack being on British soil, she added: "You don't expect it to happen when he's in the UK. You think they're safe.
"His proudest moments were serving in London on the ceremonials with the drum corps."
Lee's stepfather Ian read out a statement on behalf of and prepared by the whole family: "What can we say about Lee, our hero, we are so so proud of Lee.
"When Lee was born the family adored him, he was a precious gift given to us.
"Lee had a fiery temper when he was younger, I used to sit on him to calm him down till he got too big at 15, then he used to sit on me.
"Lee's dream growing up was always to join the army which he succeeded in doing, he was dedicated and loved his job."
"Lee adored and cared a lot for his family, he was very much a family man, looking out for his wife, young son Jack, younger sisters, whom in turn they looked up to him, he always had a banter with them but would never ever let any harm come to them.
"He was over the moon being a dad and uncle, he adored them all."
Mr Rigby, 54, at times swallowing hard and breathing in to contain his emotions, continued: "Lee was a man who loved people. He had many friends growing up in Middleton and on army duties all over the world.
"He believed life was for living and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Mr Rigby read a poem tribute to his son and said the family was grateful to the support their had received.
"We would like to say goodnight Lee, rest in peace our fallen soldier, we love you loads and words cannot describe how loved and sadly missed you will be.
"We would like to thank everybody, the police and army for the amazing support we have received and for all the goodwill wishes we are receiving from all over the country in memory of Lee.
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