Former Scientologist Leah Remini's half-sister dead at 35 following cancer battle

By Colette Fahy

Published: 18:05 EST, 31 December 2013 | Updated: 18:44 EST, 31 December 2013

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Leah Remini is in mourning after her half-sister lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday. 

According to Leah's other  half-sister Christina Castelluchi, Stephanie Remini, 35, first underwent surgery for a brain tumour in 2012 before she was discovered to have lung cancer, along with cancer in her left hip bone, her adrenal glands and cancerous legions on her spine in August of this year. 

Leah’s sister Nicole Remini-Wiskow, took to her Twitter account on Tuesday to revealed the sad news, writing, 'Today we lost our 35 year old sister to cancer. Now, two of our family members have been taken by this insane disease!'

Tragedy: Leah Remini's half-sister Stephanie Remini died on Tuesday  following a battle with cancer

Nicole then purchased a star for her deceased sister on a Stand Up To Cancer site and posted a touching message to Stephanie. 

She wrote: 'Today, you left us. You were such a little nut (in the most humorous of ways)! I know you are charming the pants off of Jesus as we speak. Your contagious smile, your sense of humor and love of God will always be remembered.

Today we lost our 35 year old sister to cancer. Please consider donating on her behalf http://t.co/INyk4Vpa8d

Today, we lost our sister. Now, two of our family members have been taken by this insane disease! http://t.co/INyk4Vpa8d

'You were a special little person. I love you little sister. I thank God, that the suffering is over.
Kisses and Hugs to you ALWAYS (sic).'

Loss: Stephanie Remini, half-sister of Leah, died on Tuesday from cancer

Leah has not yet commented publicly on the

loss.

The death follows a tough year for King of Queen’s actress Leah, who defected from controversial religion Scientology after 37 years.

She told chat show host Ellen DeGeneres: 'My mother and I got involved when we were really young so it was all we really ever knew,' before explaining that after her 'eyes were then opened' she could 'no longer be affiliated' with the religion.

‘We've lost friends that can no longer talk to us who are still in the organisation,' she told Ellen.
Adding: 'These are friends that we've had for dozens of years. '

The actress had a very public break up with the church this year partly fueled by her own personal inquiry into the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, after she was allegedly rebuked for asking at Tom Cruise's 2006 wedding.

Leah, who starred in the hit sitcom The King of Queens for nine years, is believed to have dropped out of the organization as a stand against the policy of barring members from questioning Mr Miscavige's authority.

Tribute: Their sister Nicole Remini-Wiskow bought a star in Stephanie's memory on the Stand Up To Cancer website

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