05 January 2024 , 11:41
862
0
Coleen Rooney has paid a sweet tribute to her late sister Rosie on the anniversary of her death.
The Wagatha Christie legend, who is married to footballer Wayne Rooney, took to Instagram to post some throwback snaps of Rosie, who died in 2013 at the age of just 14.
Rosie was Coleen’s adopted sister after being taken in by the McLoughlin family when she was two. She had a lifelong battle with the rare brain disorder Rett syndrome, which causes severe disabilities and led to her health getting worse as time went on.
Sharing photos of Rosie having a cuddle with her oldest son Kai, who was born in 2009, Coleen wrote: “11 years without you. We love and miss you always Rosie Mc.” In her Instagram stories, she posted another snap of a smiling Rosie with the words ‘Love you to the moon and back’.
Coleen posted this throwback snap of oldest son Kai with her late sister Rosie (Instagram)Fans were quick to post messages of support underneath with one writing: “Bless her, Happy heavenly birthday Rosie.” Another commented: “This broke my heart in the documentary. Sending you and your family lots of love.”
Coleen Rooney marks her late sister's birthday ten years after she passed away
A third said: “Wow 11 years. Got such an insight into your family’s amazing story with Rosie in your book. I can’t imagine how much you miss her.” A fourth penned: “Gosh 11 years. I recall pics of your lovely sister when you were a young girl yourself. Pretty girl and always had a smile.” While a fifth added: “In her short life, all she knows is that she was immensely loved and cared for by you and the whole family. You’re a wonderful sister and human being.”
Opening up about Rosie in her new Disney+ documentary, Coleen: The Real Wagatha Christie Story, the 37-year-old mum-of-four said that although her mum Colette and dad Tony had fostered many children before, Rosie was “different”.
Coleen called Rosie the 'sister I never thought I'd have' (PA)She shared: “When Rosie came along she was a massive part of our life. She was a sister that I never thought I was going to have. I used to do her hair and love picking clothes with me mum for her. She brought that little bit extra to the house. We fell in love with her."
Describing what life was like for her sister with her condition, Coleen explained: "Rosie she struggled. She couldn't walk and she couldn't talk. She would be in pain and sick but she would still put a smile on her face. Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder, sometimes she used to force a laugh out, I think to make me mum and dad happy. Gradually her brain wasn't functioning and she couldn't eat anymore, she couldn't crawl anymore."
Rosie was forced to go to intensive care several times as she got more and more sick. Eventually the family arranged for her to come back to their home in Liverpool for her last few days and they had "one last sleepover" and then a party to celebrate her life.
A tearful Coleen, who called Rosie the “sister I never thought I’d have”, added: "To lose a child is the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone. But when you look back now, she gave us so many good years of happiness and love."