Arquette Family Thanks Late Sister Alexis for "Teaching Us What Real Love Is"

Alexis Arquette passed away at the age of 47 on Sunday. Her famous family is now honoring the late actress for everything that she did to help the trans community during her lifetime. 

Alexis' brother Richmond Arquette shared the family's touching statement in memoriam of Alexis on his Facebook page Sunday evening. "Our sister, Alexis Arquette, passed away this morning, September 11th, 2016," the statement began. "Alexis was a brilliant artist and painter, a singer, an entertainer and an actor. She starred in movies like Last Exit to Brooklyn, Pulp Fiction, Jumpin' at the Boneyard, Of Mice and Men, The Wedding Singer, and The Bride of Chucky. Her career was cut short, not by her passing, but by her decision to live her truth and her life as a transgender woman. Despite the fact that there are few parts for trans actors, she refused to play roles that were demeaning or stereotypical. She was a vanguard in the fight for understanding and acceptance for all trans people."

The statement went on to describe how life hadn't always been easy for Alexis and other members of the trans community. "She fiercely lived her reality in a world where it is dangerous to be a trans person — a world largely unready to accept differences among human beings, and where there is still the ugliness of violence and hostility towards people that we may not understand," the statement said. "Alexis was born as Robert, our brother. We loved him the moment he arrived. But he came in as more than a sibling — he came as our great teacher. As Alexis transitioned into being a woman, she taught us tolerance and acceptance. As she moved through her process, she became our sister, teaching us what real love is... We learned what real bravery is through watching her journey of living as a trans woman. We came to discover the one truth — that love is everything." 

Alexis, whose cause of death has not been specified, was surrounded by all of her brothers and sisters, one of her nieces, and several other loved ones at the time of her passing, Richmond posted on Facebook earlier on Sunday, as reported by PEOPLE. "In the days leading to her death, she told us she was already visiting the other side, and that where she was going, there was only one gender. That on the other side, we are free from all of the things that separate us in this life, and that we are all one," the statement read. "She passed away surrounded by love. We held her and sang her David Bowie’s 'Starman' as she punched through the veil to the other side. We washed her body in rose petals and surrounded her with flowers." 

The Arquette siblings ended the statement with nothing but love for their late sister. "Alexis always had to do everything first. She left before we were ready to let her go. We are all heartbroken that she is no longer with us, but we are grateful for the grace and kindness we were all shown during this difficult time. We are comforted by the fact that Alexis came into our family and was our brother and then our sister, and that she gave us so much love. We will love you always, Alexis. We know we were the lucky ones," the statement concluded. "The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations please be sent to organizations that support the LGBTQ community in honor of Alexis Arquette." 

The statement was signed by Alexis' siblings Rosanna, Richmond, Patricia, and David. 

Patricia and David also remembered Alexis on Twitter Sunday.

Tributes from Alexis' famous friends and fans continue to pour in on social media.