Loose Women star Coleen Nolan is about to hit a major milestone, but a source tells us it is tinged with sadness after the death of her Nolans sister Linda, who passed away in January

Coleen Nolan is marking a huge milestone this week, as she celebrates turning 60 on 12 March. But with her big birthday falling just eight weeks after the tragic passing of her older sister, Linda Nolan, it will, no doubt, be a bittersweet time for the Loose Women star. Linda tragically passed away on 15 January, aged 65, two decades after first being diagnosed with cancer.

And a source tells OK! that her death has understandably cast a shadow over Coleen’s excitement in celebrating turning 60, amid plans for a party with family and friends. “This is a milestone birthday for Coleen, but she is still, of course, going to be thinking about her sister. Coleen is still very, very sad about losing Linda, so it’s a very bittersweet moment. It’s heartbreaking that Linda won’t be there,” claims the source.

Coleen turns 60 on 12 March

Coleen and Linda both found fame in The Nolans ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hea)

Coleen rose to fame in The Nolans, best known for their disco hits such as I’m In the Mood For Dancing. Coleen sang alongside her sisters, Anne, Denise, Bernie, Maureen and Linda – with whom she had a famously close bond.

Following the news of her sister’s passing, Coleen took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, penning, “I am utterly devastated by the passing of my sister, Linda. Lind was a beacon of love, kindness, and strength. Her wit, humour and laughter was infectious, her presence could light up any room. Linda had a heart full of compassion and always knew how to bring comfort and joy to those around her

“Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched, and while we will miss her more than words can express, we take solace in the love and warmth she shared with all of us. Rest in peace, Linda. You will forever be in our hearts. Love you, Coleen xxx (Colette).”

Coleen gave an incredibly emotional tribute to Linda ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The Nolans in their younger years ( 
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Popperfoto via Getty ImageColeen, who is mum to Shane Jr, 36, Jake, 32, and Ciara, 23, has been supported by her fellow Loose Women panellists, and returned to the ITV show two weeks after Linda’s death. At the time, she admitted it was tough to head back to work so soon, sharing on-air, “I thought, Do I go back? Is it too soon? And then you have to, because life goes on.”

Speaking poignantly about Linda’s impact within the family, she continued, “She was just such a massive force in our family, and it feels like such a hole.” And though it was difficult to return to Loose Women after her loss, Coleen admitted, she was “glad to be back”.

Despite appearing to keep her spirits up and distracting herself in recent appearances on the show, the source adds that Coleen, deep down, has understandably been struggling. “Coleen has been putting on a brave face about it all so far. She’s been on Loose Women and she’s doing great. But it has been very tough and it’s going to be a tough birthday for her, despite the joy.”

Coleen is incredibly close to her three children – Jake, Ciara and Shane
Linda is the second sibling Coleen has lost – her sister Bernie died from breast cancer in 2013. Emotionally recalling the moments following Bernie’s death, Coleen said last year, “Bernie was the life and soul of our family. When she died, it was as if someone had switched a light out in all of us.”

Following the heartache of so much illness and loss in her tight family circle, Coleen’s milestone birthday also has her feeling grateful for reaching 60 healthily – and she is on a new mission to make the most of every minute, claims the source.

Last summer, Coleen revealed she suffered a terrifying scare of her own, when doctors found a pre-melanoma on her face and a carcinoma on her shoulder, which is a form of skin cancer. Thankfully, Coleen immediately had the carcinoma removed before also having the pre-melanoma treated, putting her mind to rest. But the star was the fourth of her siblings to have received a cancer diagnosis, with her sister Anne having battled the disease twice.

Coleen is single after splitting from Michael Jones last year ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hearst)

Our source says Coleen feels grateful for her health ( 
Image:
GC Images)
The source shares, “Coleen is very grateful to have reached 60. She’s now seen two sisters pass away, so she’s also feeling thankful for her own health and just to be making it to this age.”

Coleen – who split from Michael Jones last year after a three-year on/off relationship – could even be entering her sixties the most confident she’s ever been, as she admitted in December she was “proud” of herself. “I’m turning 60 feeling strong and confident, and quite proud of what I’ve achieved, especially in the past few years when I’ve achieved it on my own,” she said.

So, will there be a bash to ring in the new decade? “Coleen will be celebrating with the rest of the family around,” says the source, claiming they would be making sure to honour their late sister Linda during the celebrations.

They added, “Linda’s presence will be missed but they want to make it a big celebration.”