Love Island Australia 2022‘s Jessica Losurdo has shared the devastating news that her mother has died after a lengthy battle with cancer.
The 28-year-old, who has since appeared on the first-ever season of Love Island Games, took to Instagram on October 17 to pay tribute to her mum Debbie.
“Yesterday I lost my mum, after a four-and-a-half-year battle with stage 4 cancer,” she wrote alongside a carousel of memories.
“She drew her last breath on earth and went to heaven at 6:20 pm while we held her hand, the room full of her family and friends by her side. My mum was the light in our lives, loved by many and a selfless woman who always put others before herself.”
Jessica continued: “She empowered me to do my best with every task put in front of me, supported every life choice I made, and was always there to wipe my tears.
“I moved out of home and moved back home just so I could be with her. She was my best friend, my security blanket, and my home.”
Jessica Losurdo reveals her mother outlived her initial life expectancy prognosis
Jessica also revealed that her mother was given just two months to live at the beginning of 2024, which “shifted [her] focus to love and family”.
“I used every opportunity to go on holidays with her, take her to her favourite shops, celebrate her life, express gratitude for everything she has done for me, look after her like she looked after me, and most importantly, tell her how much I love her over and over again,” she expressed.
The reality star said her family was “blessed with an extra ten months” with her mother.
“However, losing my mum so young to an illness so torturous has been the most painful and agonising experience that I would never wish upon anyone in this world, however unfortunately, it happens to the majority,” Jessica confessed.
She then called on her followers to “love each other, spend quality time with each other and do not hold resentment”.
“Because life can be taken away at any given moment and can leave you with regret,” she added. “The hallways at home are now empty, the clacking of plates in the kitchen no more, and I sit at home, lost, with the new aching silence surrounding me now that you’re gone.
“I love you so much, mum. My heart has been shattered into a million pieces, and home is not home without you.”
Jessica Losurdo’s Love Island co-stars comfort her after her mother’s death
Several of Jessica’s fellow Love Island stars shared their condolences in the comment section.
“Love you so much, Jessy,” Claudia Bonifazio penned. “Debbie is the best and will always be the best mummy ever. Love you girls so much. So so sorry.”
“Sending lots of love Jess,” Mitch Eliot wrote, while 2019 contestant Anna McEvoy said she was “deeply sorry” for Jessica’s loss.
Phoebe Spiller commented, “What a woman. She was simply the best. You stuck by her side every step of the way, and she will forever be proud of you, Jessy girl. I love you so much and am sending your family so much love.”
Taku Chimwaza, Maddy Gillbanks, Ari Kumar, Jordan Dowsett and Love Island UK star Liberty Poole were also among those sharing the love.
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