Hilary Swank Shares Tribute to Dad Stephen on Second Anniversary of His Death: 'I Love You Forever'

"You brought so much joy to all who were blessed to know you. Your memory still does," the actress wrote on Instagram Sunday

Hilary Swank is paying tribute to her late dad, Stephen Michael Swank, on the second anniversary of his death.

On Sunday, the two-time Oscar winner shared a selfie of herself and her dad, taken inside a car, as she noted in the caption, "It’s been two years since you passed."

"You brought so much joy to all who were blessed to know you," wrote Swank, 49. "Your memory still does. 🥰 I love you forever. 💞🤍🙌🏽."

Among the numerous supportive comments from fellow celebrities was one from Mariska Hargitay, who told Swank that her relationship with her father "was inspiring" and added, "I love you."

"❤️🙏🏻," Katie Couric commented, while Kevin Nealon said, "God bless your pop, Hil. I remember meeting him and how sweet he was. He loved you to pieces.❤️🙏🏼."

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Related: Hilary Swank on Pausing Career to Care for Dad After Lung Transplant: 'It Takes a Lot of Energy'

Swank revealed in an emotional post shared to her Instagram page on New Year's Eve 2021 that her father had died that October.

The Million Dollar Baby actress said she "had a rather unique relationship" with her dad and became "his sole caretaker" after he underwent a lung transplant seven years ago.

"I grew incredibly close to him during this time, deepening our relationship and savoring every moment we had together," she wrote at the time. "He will always remain one of my most favorite persons and not a day goes by that I don't miss him."

Swank continued, noting that the "physical loss" of her father awakened her "to the truest sense of living again."

"It helped me better understand the circle of life and where we come from and where we go back to, which has connected me back to my truest self," the actress added. "It helped me forgive, to move past the things that hold me back, in whatever form that takes each day. As well as being deeply connected to the Ultimate Source and therefore, my Dad, always."

Related: Hilary Swank Celebrates Her First Mother's Day After Welcoming Twins: 'Happy Mama's Day!'

She concluded, "This last year I hope whatever trials and tribulations you all have had on your life journey bring you closer to your truest essence and help guide you into this New Year with whatever blessings you most need. We are all in this together."

Caring for her dad post-lung transplant was no simple task. In August 2020, Swank told Health magazine that she became Stephen's "health advocate" after stepping away from Hollywood in 2014 to help him heal.

Originally, the actress planned to take a year off from her screen career, but she said her hiatus lasted longer than anticipated.

"A lung transplant is the most difficult of all, as it's an incredibly delicate organ," Swank said at the time. "One year quickly turned into two and then three. And, thank God, prayers were answered. He is healthy and doing really well five-plus years later."

"It takes a lot of energy, love and edifying yourself on the matter at hand. The ups and downs are so challenging and can be overwhelming," she added before offering advice to others who have opted to be a health advocate for a loved one: "Make sure that you're taking time for yourself and that you vocalize what your needs are to the people who are around you so they can help support you."

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