As fans continue to process the death of beloved singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett from an aggressive form of skin cancer, his younger sister is sharing details of her own battle with the disease.Â
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In a new interview with People, Laurie Buffett McGuane revealed that she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer around the same time Jimmy learned he was facing Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer.
According to McGuane, the news of their individual health issues came during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jimmy relocated himself and their family members to McGuane’s property in Montana so they could support each other through this challenging time.
“Jimmy and I became closer because of our cancers. We talked before and after our scans,” she tells People. “We shared a club that nobody wants to join. I am thunderstruck that Jimmy didn’t make it.”
[RELATED: Paul McCartney Laments the Passing of Jimmy Buffett: “So Long, Jim”]
McGuane’s treatment plan was successful, allowing her to enjoy life cancer-free. Her older brother, who she lovingly referred to as “Bubba,” died at the age of the age of 76 on September 1. The pain of losing her sibling has only been lightened by the outpouring of love and support from the beloved singer/songwriter’s dedicated fans.
The “Margaritaville” singer kept his diagnosis private, even as unspecified health issues led him to cancel multiple tour dates over the past year. McGuane takes solace in knowing her brother pursued his passion for music and performing for as long as he could.
“Jimmy always had a dream that he pursued until the end,” McGuane adds. “He did a lot of things in between, but hit Key West when he was pretty unknown, and never gave up, up until crowds began coming to listen to him perform. He was a phenomenal person.”
(Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
