Rona Newton-John, the older sister of Grease actress Olivia Newton-John, has died at the age of 70. Rona passed away last week following a battle with brain cancer. Olivia, who waged a successful battle with breast cancer in the ‘90s, announced Rona’s death on Facebook.
"My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles. It was May 25th in Australia – which was our mother Irene's birthday. Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children – Fiona, Brett, Tottie and Emerson, and her wonderful friends. I will miss her forever – my beautiful, smart, talented, funny, brave sister Rona,” Olivia wrote.
Olivia, 64, revealed Rona’s diagnosis last month when she postponed her residency at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. She was set to perform in place of Donny & Marie Osmond during the pair’s away dates. "In light of this news, I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family. As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin," she told Entertainment Tonight at the time.
In 2008, Olivia told Everyday Health that the support of her family and friends was “the key” to her beating breast cancer. "One thing that I do suggest is that anyone dealing with a life-threatening illness like cancer choose a point person for people to call to find out how you are doing — a sister, brother, mother, father, daughter, son, or close friend. Picking someone close to you to report the news about your health to everyone else frees up time — time you need to heal and become well,” she said.
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