George Clooney’s sister Adelia ‘Ada’ Zeidler passes away: ‘My sister, Ada, was my hero’

George Clooney’s sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, passed away on Friday, December 19 at the age of 65.

A year older than the 64-year-old actor, Ada had been battling cancer for years, with her brother revealing that she fought the difficult illness “with courage and humour”.

“My sister, Ada, was my hero,” Clooney’s statement to PEOPLE began. “She faced down cancer with courage and humor. I’ve never met anyone so brave. Amal and I will miss her terribly.”

Ada died “peacefully surrounded by the people she loved,” according to the obituary released by St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky, where she was a resident.

Her obituary further stated, “A talented artist, she shared her skills as an elementary art teacher at Augusta Independent School for several years.”

“In high school, her academic achievements qualified her to be a National Merit Scholar. Her love for reading connected her with other readers in a local book club. She was also a member of the Augusta Art Guild and was a past grand marshal of Augusta’s Annual White Christmas Parade,” the obit continued. “In addition to her parents, she leaves behind her beloved children, Nick Zeidler and Allison Zeidler Herolaga and her husband, Kenny; her brother, George Clooney and his wife, Amal; and several uncles, aunts, and cousins.”

A funeral for Adelia “Ada” Zeidler will be observed on Monday, December 22.