Kirsten Richards

Update March 2017. Thanks to all who helped. Kirsten has passed after a brave fight - she was so thankful to everyone who donated. Thanks and love to you all, Kieley.

RICHARDS, Kirsten Mary. 3 February 1965 - 12 March 2017. Peacefully at Hospice North Shore surrounded by love. Dearly loved mother of Daniel, Sarah and Caitlin; proud Nana of Cooper, and Carter. A beloved sister of Lisa, Matthew, and Catherine; a loving daughter of the late Jim and Judy. Adored auntie of Kara, Sam, Julia, and Jasper; great-aunt of Jakob, and Megan. "Kirsten, you bound our family together with your love and your strength. We have lost you too soon, but our love for you will live on forever in our hearts." A celebration of Kirsten's life will be held at the North Harbour Chapel of Dil's Funeral Services, 185 Schnapper Rock Road, Albany on Thursday 16 March at 3.30pm, followed by a private cremation.

UPDATED NOV 2016 - Kirsten is one of those people who would do anything to help you. Any one of her friends and colleagues can give you at least a couple of stories of how she is the first to put her hand up to offer help.

2016 aint the best year. Kirsten was diagnosed with cervical cancer and has spent time in and out of hospital. Her fight to succeed and live her life well are a testament to the kind of person she is. Kirsten is a fixture of the Torbay community. She went to local schools - went on to become a Mum, raising her 2 amazing kids on her own, became a proud Nana, and also became a teacher at the local school. Having taught there for 18 years and coaching netball for 15 - she is well known and committed to the place she calls home.

And here we are in November. Kirsten recently had a scan. This has shown that this bastard thing has grown from the one in August which was looking good. It is now spreading towards her spine – which explains the chronic and debilitating pain.

They cannot radiate the area again as it doesn’t work, no evidence suggest chemo will work on heavily radiated areas and the surgeons don’t want to touch it :( Currently there is no conventional treatment is available to her so you can all imagine how stressful this is. Her current plan of action (YOU GO GIRL!!!) is to go through the Integrated medicine people who offer Vitamin C and alternative dietary and supplementary options and see if they have anything to offer her that is NOT going to waste her time, health and money. There always has to be the hope that this could fix her but most of all we hope that this will make her feel better and buy her the time to take advantage of any treatments that do become available, and they DO show up regularly.

We know people have been extraordinarly generous. Kirsten has tried so very hard to work but work is not a reality - and the very little WINZ does offer - while gratefully received is not enough to even live on. Christmas is fast approaching and there won't be the normal holiday pay either.

Perhaps instead of sending Christmas cards this year or Secret Santa gifts - you could donate and let people know you have done that. It's a worthy cause.

Thanks in advance from the bottom of my heart. Live each day with zest and go well xxx