Love Life.
That was Lisa-Maree O’Hara’s motto, and she did just that until her last breath.
The 24-year-old died at her parent’s home in Narre Warren South on Saturday evening, surrounded by her family.
The young model and personal trainer made headlines last month as she grasped one last chance to motivate people to be healthy and happy. She gave a goodbye talk at St John’s College in Dandenong on 16 December in what was a successful attempt to inspire others and to to raise awareness about a rare cancer Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC).
Lisa-Maree was diagnosed with ACC of her right parotid gland (major salivary gland located behind the ear) two years ago. The cancer quickly spread and after several operations, radiation and an unsuccessful trial with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Lisa- Maree passed away just weeks short of her 25th birthday. Her father Shane said Lisa-Maree remained positive until the end. He said she was a thrill-seeker who loved being active and healthy.
“She loved playing team sport – she loved netball. She loved to extreme sports and had been bungee jumping and skydiving. She swam with the dolphins and always wanted to go swimming with great whites,” he said.
“She also loved her family. She always wanted our family to be together. We were very close. She was very proud of our family and wanted everyone to love each other.”
Mr O’Hara said his daughter took pide in her health and appearance, and never drank or smoked. He joked that Lisa-Maree also paid attention to her parent’s fashion choices.
“She always worried about how other people dressed – especially mom and dad,” he laughed.
Her partner Mani Guardado was also very important to her, and on 4 November, the two had a commitment ceremony at Potters Receptions in Warrandyte.
She was attended to by 10 bridesmaids. On her webpage, www.epsi.com.au, she said married life was “bliss” and thanked the many supporters she had through her cancer fight.
“My family, my husband, my friends and I will never be able to express the gratitude we have and wish nothing but the best back at you,” she wrote. “I hope you all live long and strong, always remain smiling and be happy. From the bottom of my heart I love you and thank you. Love Life.”
Mr O’Hara also thanked the staff at The Alfred hospital and Casey Hospital.
Lisa-Maree is survived by her husband, father, mother Carmel, sister Melissa, 23, brother Brendan, 21, and an abundance of family and friends.
The rosary will be held at 7.30pm Friday at St Paul Apostle Catholic Community, 5 William Hovell Dve, Endeavour Hills. The Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Lisa-Maree will also be at St Paul Apostle Catholic Community, starting at 10.30am, on Saturday. After the Mass, the cortege will proceed to the Berwick Cemetery.
Lisa-Maree helped plan her funeral before her death, and requested that everyone who bought a Love Life T-shirt, wear it. Women are asked to wear a coloured high-feel and everyone is asked to bring one colourful gerbera.
