Kimberly Van Der Beek marked what would be nearly four months since James Van Der Beek’s death by sharing throwback photos and writing, “Baby, love does not die. Death does not part.” The post comes after James died in February at 48 following stage III colore
Kimberly Van Der Beek opened Instagram with a message she clearly needed to say out loud: “Baby, love does not die. Death does not part.”
On Saturday, June 28, Kimberly—44—shared throwback photos of herself and her late husband James Van Der Beek, nearly four months after his death at 48. The posts came with a quiet insistence that love is still present, even when the person you lost is no longer here.
In addition to the photos, she posted more family images through her Instagram Stories, remembering James as someone “was always building something with a child in tow.”
James died in February after battling stage III colorectal cancer. The Dawson’s Creek star is survived by Kimberly and their six children.
When she announced his passing at the time. Kimberly wrote that their beloved James David Van Der Beek “passed peacefully this morning. ” and that he met “his final days with courage. faith and grace.” She also asked for privacy while they grieved as husband. father. son. brother. and friend. saying. “For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband. father. son. brother and friend.”.
Since then, Kimberly has continued to speak candidly about what grief has looked like as time moved forward. Last month, she marked three months since they lost @vanderjames, writing, “To say I’m heartbroken is a severe understatement. Words just don’t capture what grief is.” She said “The comforts of shock have worn off. ” and added that “the reality is settling in.”.
She also described feeling James more deeply, writing, “I feel him. I know him more deeply,” and saying her “conscious connection to God has deepened.” Kimberly shared that the support her family received “has been tremendous,” adding that it “held our family in the most beautiful of ways.”
Before this latest post, Kimberly also reflected on Father’s Day, their first since James’ death. On June 21, she wrote, “Missing you so much and thinking of how magnificent you were in every single way today,” adding, “And somehow, from the other side? You continue to parent. You’re a marvel.”
James’ friends joined in the comments to honor him as a father. Nikki Reed wrote, “The best of the best forever. We love you so much James🙏🏼❤️✨,” saying she was “Wrapping all of your little people in the warmest hugs today, and always.” Dave Annable added, “The best father there ever was.”
The messages keep coming in the same key: grief, love, and the belief that the bond doesn’t end. On June 28, Kimberly’s latest Instagram tribute gave that feeling its clearest sentence yet—simple, direct, and meant for the person she misses most.
Kimberly Van Der Beek James Van Der Beek Dawson’s Creek Instagram grief stage III colorectal cancer Father’s Day Nikki Reed Dave Annable
Love doesn’t die, but why does it feel like it does? 😕
Stage III colorectal cancer is wild. I didn’t even know it could be that serious that fast. Prayers I guess.
Wait so he died like in February but she posted like 4 months later? I feel like if it was “peaceful” then she’d be posting sooner? Idk people grieve different, just my brain is weird about it.
“Baby, love does not die” is sweet but also cmon, death does not part, sure, whatever. Stage III colorectal cancer… sounds like it was hidden from the public or something. And then they ask for privacy but she keeps posting throwbacks. Like I’m not judging, I just don’t get it.