The Veronicas reveal heartbreak after mother dies after long illness

The sisters returned to Queensland from Los Angeles to spend time with their mother, who required full-time care. Photo / Getty Images

Veronicas twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso have paid tribute to their "angel mama and best friend" Colleen, who died on Wednesday after a long battle with progressive supernuclear palsy.

The Queensland-based singers, who have remained in the spotlight for years after rising through the charts as one of Australia's premier pop exports, revealed Colleen had spent her final weeks "at home with us in our loving arms".

Colleen was diagnosed with the neurological disease and Lewy body dementia in 2018 after years of misdiagnosis.

According to The Courier Mail, Colleen's diagnosis is the reason the pop duo returned to Australia from Los Angeles, as she required full-time care.

"Our angel mama and bestfriend Colleen Francis Origliasso ascended into the heavens this past Wednesday, on the beautiful afternoon of September 1st 2021. The first day of Spring, her favourite time of year," Lisa Origliasso posted to Instagram on Saturday.

"She spent her final weeks at home with us in our loving arms and care. There has been no greater honour or blessing than having her as our mummy.

"She was the greatest connector of all things, had the biggest heart for community & charity, a lifelong supporter of the arts, LGBT+ community, a passionate volunteer for animals and conservation, and she made everyone she met feel like family.

"And she loved music more than anything else. Her strength and compassion was limitless. Her laugh was the most beautiful thing in the world.

"We feel it very fitting that her last message we want to share with you all, was the word Love."

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