The Blaine County coroner’s office has confirmed Kelly Lee Curtis’ cause of death after she died over the weekend.
Kelly, who was the older sister of Freaky Friday and Knives Out actor Jamie Lee Curtis, died in the early hours of Saturday (May 30).
Jamie shared the news on Instagram, paying tribute to Kelly—who was two years her senior—and said she had “lived a life of generosity, service and a deep love of natural beauty and was dedicated to her family and Pokémon Go”.
Part of the obituary shared to social read: “Kelly Lee Curtis was the eldest daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She was born June 17, 1956 on Father’s Day. She was raised with her sister, Jamie Lee Curtis, in Los Angeles, California with their stepfather, Robert Brandt who brought them to Idaho.”
“She was a graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. She also lived and worked in New York City, where she was an actress and a member of the Actor’s Studio and she appeared in television and films and on the stage.”
It went on to say: “She was affectionally known as ‘Auntie Cookie’ and is survived by her husband John, her sisters, Jamie, Alexandra, Allegra and their brother Benjamin as well as her nieces and nephews, Annie, Ruby, Elisabeth, Dido, Helena, Raphael, Nicholas, Jacob and Kristopher and grand nieces and nephews, Calum, Rory, Alistair and Isaac and her stepmother, Leslie Curtis.”
Her death has since been ruled natural causes, according to US Weekly.
Reports also state that she had been receiving hospice care in the period before she died. Her husband, John Marsh, is believed to have been present when she passed away and when the coroner arrived.
Kelly is reportedly set to be cremated.
Following her sister’s death, Jamie also posted a new set of photos of the pair together—images taken during a trip to Budapest in 2012.
“In 2012 I took my sister on a trip to trace our family roots,” The Bear star wrote alongside the heartwarming snaps.
“We started out in Hungary, in Budapest, where Tony Curtis’ family Schwartz was from, a small town, Mátészalka near Budapest.
“We also went to Denmark and the island of Bornholm where our mother, Janet Leigh’s family, Kofoed was from.”
Reflecting on what the journey meant to them, she added: “It was a once in a lifetime trip with my sister Kelly and it bonded us in our history and family.
“If you have a sibling, I recommend taking at least one trip, just the two of you, to trace a little bit of your family history. It will be a lasting and permanent and important memory.
“It is for me and is helping me in these days of grief and mourning.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].