Heaven is a chunk of coal richer now.

Death by tying a battle with cancer can be gruesome. My dad went through it, and knowing the level of pain some people go through, it can make death feel like a blessing. He's not suffering now, and even if there is the great neverending nothingness after life, as a devout Christian, he should have found some peace before going.

I would recommend reading/rereading his autobiography. Better, listen to the audiobook read by himself. It did make me feel like I know the guy, though 90% of the book is fake stories told as set ups for stupid jokes.

Tell her your feelings are real, and she should respect that. Some people cry at movies, and nobody goes around saying "you didn't even met Jack, and he wasn't in the Titanic"

This may help. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/human-kind/202010/celebrity-deaths-why-we-grieve-and-why-its-important