The Veronicas’ mum Colleen Origliasso dies after battle with progressive supernuclear palsy

The Veronicas singers Lisa and Jessica Origliasso have paid tribute to their “angel mama” Colleen, who died in their “loving arms” this week after a lengthy battle with a rare neurological condition.

The Veronicas singers Lisa and Jessica Origliasso have paid tribute to their “angel mama and best friend” Colleen Origliasso, who died on Wednesday after a lengthy battle with a neurological condition.

Sharing the news on Saturday, the Brisbane sisters, who had shared the role as carers for their mother, said Colleen had spent her final weeks “at home with us in our loving arms”.

Colleen was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Lewy body dementia in 2018, a rare neurological and incurable condition, after years of misdiagnosis in what was a heartbreaking time for the Brisbane family.

The Veronicas’ Jess and Lisa Origliasso with their mum, Colleen. Picture: Instagram @lisa_veronica

At the time the sisters returned home to Queensland from Los Angeles to spend time with their mother, who required full-time care.

“Our angel mama and best friend 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,” they wrote on Saturday.

“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.”

They continued that her “strength and compassion was limitless” and 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,” they wrote.

The Veronicas singers, 36, became Dementia Australia ambassadors in 2018 to raise awareness for the debilitating disease and this year took part in Celebrity Apprentice on behalf of the Brain Foundation.

Jess and Lisa Origliasso with their mother Colleen.

They asked fans to dance to a KD Lang song in their mother’s honour and donate to the organisations she was passionate about, Including Wildlife Warriors, Brain Foundation and Sea Shepherd.