Kathleen's Story
Kathleen was born on 12 June 1966 to her loving parents Anne and Ted, who today remain a strong part of the family in their 80s. From the very beginning, Kathleen’s life would be one filled with both challenges and incredible strength.
She grew up alongside her siblings — her older brother Eddy, her sister Sandra, and her youngest sister Michelle. Kathleen also had another sister, Leeanne, who tragically passed away at just four months old from pneumonia. The loss left a lasting mark on the family, and years later Kathleen honoured her sister’s memory by naming her own first daughter Leanne.
Kathleen became a mother at just fourteen years old when she welcomed her first baby girl, Leanne. Though she was young, she faced motherhood with courage, determination, and love. Later came her son Jamie, followed by one of the most heartbreaking moments of her life — the loss of her baby Bradley, who died in her womb. Kathleen had to endure the unimaginable pain of giving birth naturally to her stillborn son. Despite such deep heartbreak, Kathleen found the strength to carry on. Later she welcomed her youngest child, Rhiannon, completing the family she loved so deeply.
Family meant everything to Kathleen. Her children grew, built their own lives, and gave her the joy of becoming a grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren.
Leanne, with her husband Michael, gave Kathleen three wonderful granddaughters — Maddison, Lillian, and Isabella — who brought endless pride and happiness into her life.
Jamie had a daughter, Sienna, from a previous relationship, and later he and his wife Shae welcomed their beautiful baby girl Amity, born on Friday the 13th of 2026.
Rhiannon and her husband Callum completed the next generation with their two children, William and Ebony.
Each of Kathleen’s grandchildren held a special place in her heart. They were her pride, her joy, and the continuation of her story.
But perhaps the greatest battle of Kathleen’s life came when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For nine long years, she fought the illness with incredible courage. Through treatments, pain, and uncertainty, Kathleen showed a strength that inspired everyone around her. Even during the hardest times, she kept her determination and spirit, always thinking of her children and grandchildren and the family she loved so deeply.
Despite the struggles she faced, Kathleen still knew how to enjoy life. She loved to party, laugh, and dance, and if there was music from the 70s or 80s playing, Kathleen would be the first on the dance floor. Music and dancing were some of the ways she celebrated life, bringing smiles and laughter to those around her.
After a long and courageous fight, Kathleen sadly passed away on May 30th, 2025.
But Kathleen’s story does not end there.
In her honour, her family and community are coming together to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation, raising awareness and funds to help other women facing the same battle Kathleen fought so bravely. This fundraising event is not only a tribute to Kathleen’s strength and resilience, but also a way to support research, care, and hope for women and families affected by breast cancer.
Through this effort, Kathleen’s legacy continues — helping others, bringing people together, and reminding everyone of the strength that lives within those who fight this disease.
Though she is no longer with us, Kathleen’s story lives on through the family she loved so fiercely — her children, her grandchildren, her parents Anne and Ted, her siblings, and everyone whose lives she touched.
Kathleen’s life was not defined by the hardships she faced, but by the courage she showed in overcoming them and the love she gave so freely.
And that is the legacy Kathleen leaves behind — a legacy of strength, love, family, and hope that will live on for generations.
