In the fall of 1980, the Los Angeles Times asked Lennon to reflect on his decision to leave professional recording behind. That's the story he would want told, I think,' said Sheff, who is also the author of 'Beautiful Boy,' a memoir of his son's battle with drug addiction. 'He was so alive, and he felt that he had something important to say about raising his baby and marriage. 'If he knew he was going to die, and if he was able to choose the period of his life that would be the focus in the future, it would be this period,' said David Sheff, a writer who interviewed Lennon during his final months, spending three weeks with him and his family. But amid those tributes, biographers and journalists say, Lennon's quiet final chapter deserves more attention. In recognition of the 40th anniversary of Lennon's assassination on Tuesday, admirers around the world are likely to revisit his Beatles heyday and his legacy as an anti-war activist. He retreated into a domestic idyll inside the famed Dakota apartment building in New York City, devoting himself to raising his young son, Sean, and nurturing his strained marriage with his wife, Yoko Ono. Please respect their privacy at this difficult time.But in the last five years of his life, Lennon went into hibernation. The family are thankful for your prayers.

'Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout.

The British native 'passed away today at her home in Mallorca, Spain, following a short but brave battle with cancer,' a representative told ABC News in a statement. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time.' She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family. She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian. Ono added, I’m very saddened by Cynthia’s death. 'She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all, but I will always have great memories of our times together.' She was a lovely lady who I’ve known since our early days together in Liverpool,' McCartney said in a statement to ABC News. 'The news of Cynthia’s passing is very sad. Lennon, who was married the Beatles great John Lennon from 1962 to 1968, died today at her home in Spain. — - Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono both paid tribute to Cynthia Lennon today.

John lennon and cynthia