Debra McCurdy, Mother Of 'iCarly' Star Jennette McCurdy, Dies From Breast Cancer

Jennette McCurdy’s mother, Debra McCurdy, passed away on Friday after a 17-year battle with breast cancer.

Debra McCurby passed away on Sept. 20, a rep for Jeannette McCurdy confirmed to E! News. "Jennette has suffered an unimaginable loss,” the rep said. “Please respect her and her family's privacy at this time of mourning. She appreciates the love and support of her fans."

McCurdy, the child star best known for her role of Sam Puckett on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat, tweeted her thanks to her fans:

Overwhelmed by the love and support coming my way. Thank you tremendously.

— Jennette McCurdy (@jennettemccurdy) September 21, 2013

The 21-year-old actress first opened up about her mother’s battle with cancer in 2011 in an op-ed that appeared in the Wall Street Journal. “There are people who believe that young actors on a TV series have it easy and that they never have a tough moment in their lives – not a single trial or obstacle,” she wrote. “Underneath the carefree façade, you may be surprised to know that some of us actually do have to face some tribulations.”

“In March 1995, my mother was diagnosed with Stage IV mammary ductal cell carcinoma, also known as breast cancer, and required a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, breast surgery and many radiation sessions,” she continued, adding, “Miraculously, my mother made it through.”

But after McCurdy’s mother reached the 15-year cancer-free mark, she learned that cancer had returned and had already spread to her “skull, lymph nodes, ribs, sternum, thoracic and lumbar spine and pelvis.” Despite intensive chemotherapy, Debra McCurdy sadly couldn’t beat the cancer this time around.

Jeannette McCurdy is currently filming Almost Heroes 3D with Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite).

– Chelsea Regan

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