Actress Leah Remini's half-sister Stephani Remini has died of cancer. Their sister Nicole Remini broke the sad news on Twitter.

Stephani had been ill for some time, battling a brain tumor and then stage 4 lung cancer.  She was 35 years old.

 

 

 

Although she was sick, she never gave up her passion of caring for animals. In her honor, the family has created The Stephani Remini Memorial Fund to care for companion animals whose owners are dying or whose medical treatment leaves them unable to keep taking care of their pets.

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"Throughout her struggle, Stephani remained positive, and inspired everyone she met with her amazing attitude," Nicole wrote about her sister (pictured below).

"[She] was the embodiment of the word "fighter." Stephani often spoke about how she would beat cancer, and had plans to go to the shelter to adopt a homeless cat when she was well. Stephani held onto her dreams, right through her last days on earth. She never gave up hope that tomorrow would be a better day."

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Leah, who participated on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars and is reportedly writing a tell-all book about her years inside the Church of Scientology, has not yet commented publicly on her sister's passing. People who wish to donate to the Stephani Remini Memorial Fund can click here for more information.