Coleen Rooney has paid an emotional tribute to her late sister Rosie McLoughlin, as she marked what would have been her sibling’s 24th birthday.
Rosie sadly passed away in 2013, at the age of 14, following a lifelong battle with the rare genetic disorder Rett syndrome, which causes severe mental and physical disability.
Mum-of-four Coleen posted the photo of Rosie with her and husband Wayne Rooney ’s eldest son Kai as a toddler, cuddling up to his auntie while sweetly gazing up at her.
“The best sister and the best aunty #24today”, she captioned the snap, alongside angel and love heart emojis.
Wayne was among the thousands of Coleen’s followers who left comments on the post, and the former England and Manchester United star simply left a two love heart emojis.
“What a beautiful picture,” one fan commented. “Priceless,” another added.
“Happy Birthday Beautiful Rosie we are so Blessed to have known you!” a follower wrote.
“Happy Heavenly Birthday Angel Rosie! Forever in our hearts xxx,” another commented.
Coleen regularly shares snaps of her little sister on social media, as she commemorates special dates in Rosie’s life.
Last month, the author and mum shared a picture of her and Rosie on her wedding day, as she remembered her sister on the day she sadly died.
“9 years today Ro. Thinking about you every day. Love you always #OurAngel,” Coleen captioned the sweet picture of Rosie smiling.
Her parents, Tony and Colette, fostered Rosie when she was two years old, and while they knew she was disabled, it took tireless campaigning from their mum to find out what was wrong with the youngster.
“It took pretty much a year for Rosie to be diagnosed and, looking back, I can see how much Mum pushed to find out what was wrong with her and to try to do what was best for her,” Coleen told the Mail on Sunday in 2006.
Last year, she paid another poignant tribute to her little sister on the 8th anniversary of her death, and revealed she and husband Wayne cut short their holiday to fly back to the UK as Rosie was unwell.
“8 years since our Rosie got her angel wings and flew to heaven to dance and run free,” she began.
“My boys speak about you all the time Ro, wish they all could have met you. Love and miss you every day. So glad we ended our holiday short, due to her deteriorating & we was able to spend the last few days together with her an our family,” Coleen added.
“Sleep tight Rosie Mc x. We love you more than words can say .”
