JENNIFER CONNELLY HEARTBREAK

Jen_stry

NOAH star JENNIFER CONNELLY’s mom died suddenly from a heart attack a year ago, and insiders say the actress is still devas­tated over the loss.

The 43-year-old Oscar winner’s devoted mom Ilene not only raised Jennifer but also shaped her career and helped care for the raven-haired beauty’s three children.

Jennifer was broken up about her mom’s death – and still is,” re­vealed a close source. “She ended up losing a lot of weight from the stress, just like she did after her dad died in 2008. Jen didn’t realize it at the time, but Ilene had been working herself to death.”

In 2012, Ilene – a massage therapist – moved from Big Sur, Calif., to a small apartment in New York City to be near Jennifer, her actor husband Paul Bettany and the couple’s children.

And whenever Paul and Jennifer – who plays Noah’s wife Namaah in the hit movie – were away filming, Ilene cared for her grandchildren. Ilene struggled to make ends meet in the city but was in good spirits last May when she landed some work back in Big Sur.

“On the last day of her life, she did eight massages and drove to Los Angeles, where she was staying with a friend,” said a pal.

Exhausted, Ilene fell asleep at her friend’s home and never woke up.

“The one-year anniversary of her death is coming up, and Jen still hasn’t gotten over it,” said the close source. “It’s not going to be easy on her.”