Singer David Bowie and actor Alan Rickman both passed away last week due to cancer.

Bowie passed away at age 69, just two days after releasing his album, “Blackstar,” and his birthday, which was on Jan. 8. He had been suffering from terminal liver cancer for over 18 months.

Rickman, also 69, died from pancreatic cancer on Jan. 14. He was most famous for his role as Professor Snape in the “Harry Potter” series.

Malvika Khanna (12), who grew up reading the “Harry Potter” books, felt sad after she heard about the death of Rickman.

“Those two deaths were really sad, and [with Alan Rickman’s death], I feel like a part of my childhood is gone,” she said.

Director of performing arts Laura Lang-Ree had fond memories of dancing to Bowie’s music.
“I was saddened at David Bowie’s early passing,” Lang-Ree said. “I think he had a lot more great work to show us, but what he gave all of us as a performer was magical and I’ll be forever grateful that he was the last dance at my wedding, ‘Modern love.’”

Many celebrities such as Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, posted on social media offering their condolences towards Rickman’s family and sharing some of their memories.

“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with,” Radcliffe stated on Google+. “He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter.”

Both Bowie and Rickman had a great impact on many of their fans’ lives.

This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on January 27, 2016.