Actress Leah Remini's half-sister has died at the age of 35.

Stephanie Remini lost her battle with cancer on New Year's Eve (31Dec13) and her grieving sister, Nicole Remini-Wiskow, confirmed the news on website StandUp2Cancer.org.

She wrote, "Today, we lost our sister... I would love to have us stand together and donate in Stephanies (sic) name as she would love for us to be doing something positive in her honor...

"We will miss her magnetic smile and love for God and others. Even as she was in pain and suffering she was encouraging others to do better in their life and get straight. Always, the care giver. Steph, you left us today, on this New Years Eve 2013 & you are so loved!"

In 2012, Stephanie underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer, according to RadarOnline.com.

Leah has yet to comment on the sad news.