Much loved soap star Cornelia Frances tragically passed away on Monday evening after a long battle with cancer.
The 77-year-old TV veteran leaves behind her son Lawrence Eastland and her dearly loved 17-year-old granddaughter Tipani.
Take a look back at her incredible life here.
“Lawrence is truly devastated by the passing of his mum, they were the best of friends,” show business reporter Craig Bennett tells Woman’s Day.
Cornelia first announced she was battling cancer in January when what began as a bladder cancer spread to her hip.
Despite undergoing chemo and radiation treatment, the cancer tragically metastasised in Cornelia’s spine and she spent the final months of her life in palliative care.
From Home and Away to the Weakest Link, Cornelia was one of the most recognisable faces on Australian TV.
“She was completely and utterly brave right to the very end, laughing and smiling as best she could,” Craig tells Woman’s Day.
True to form, flamed haired TV veteran Cornelia was fabulous even in the final weeks of her life and celebrated her 77th birthday in April from her hospital bed, throwing a party and welcoming a procession of friends including co-stars Judy Nunn, Paula Duncan, Andrew McFarlane, Axle Whitehead and her son Lawrence, who raised a glass to toast her life.
“She played the best b—-es on television, Sister Scott in in The Young Doctors, conniving Barbara Hamilton on Sons and Daughters and Morag Bellingham in Home and Away for 29 years.”
“But despite all that she was one of the most warm and fabulous people you’ll ever meet, who threw legendary dinner parties. She will be sadly missed,” tells Craig.
On Monday, Cornelia’s son Lawrence posted a final photo of his mother.
“A very personal photo of my mum during one of her resting moments, she is so peaceful, soft and serene. I truly love this woman,” he wrote alongside a photo of the 77-year-old in her hospital bed.
The beloved actress recently had her 77th birthday in April from her hospital bed.
In March, the actress opened up about her fight to survive.
“It’s a hard road but we’ll get there,” Cornelia told A Current Affair during one of her last interviews.
Cornelia went on to reveal that the disease, which affected an estimated 2,995 people in Australia in 2017 according to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, had in fact spread to her thighs.
She admitted the pain could be at times be excruciating.
“I’m feeling fine, albeit what’s inside me. The pain comes and goes but that’s par for the course. We’re going to fight this, by God, I am.”
Home and Away‘s Lynne McGranger with Cornelia at the 2011 TV Week Logie Awards.
“She was completely and utterly brave right to the very end, laughing and smiling as best she could.”
