Melissa Coakes, known as Mel, made the most of life despite her illness, flying in a helicopter for the first time on Queen’s Birthday weekend and taking part in a commitment ceremony with her partner of 10 years, John Lynch.
Ms Coakes (36), who had already undergone treatment for breast cancer, learned she had several brain tumours earlier this year after she developed migraines.
She died on Monday, after a short stay in Dunedin Hospital. The community rallied to support Ms Coakes after she spoke about her illness on radio.
Highland Helicopters donated a helicopter flight for her and her children, and a neighbour. Mr Lynch said Ms Coakes’ death was "devastating".
"I thought she had a lot more time," he said.
He quit his job as a night shift worker at Anzco this week to take care of their children, Sophie (7) and Mason (5).
The support from the community in Ms Coakes’ last days had been phenomenal, and he particularly appreciated the help he had received from staff and parents at St Bernadette’s School in Corstorphine.
"They have been awesome," he said.
He described her as "a lovely woman" who never had a bad word to say about anyone.
"Most people, after meeting her for five minutes, just loved her. She had the kind of personality that everyone was drawn to."
Ms Coakes’ friend of 21 years Cheryl Andrews said she was "shocked and devastated" by her death, and was appealing to people to donate money to the Givealittle page she had set up for the family, entitled "Sometimes you choose your battles sometimes they choose you".
"I thought I would’ve had more time with her," she said.
Ms Coakes’ children were still coming to terms with their mother’s death, she said. In the days leading up to her death, Ms Coakes had done as much as she could.
She had gone to her children’s sports games and got a ride on a motortrike thanks to her neighbours.
A funeral will be held today at the Crematorium in Anderson’s Bay, and next Saturday Mr Lynch said he would hold a memorial service.
Ms Coakes had been baptised before she died, and had received the last rites from a Catholic priest. Ms Andrews said there were still a lot of vouchers donated by community organisations which had not been used, and she was still hoping to give them to Mr Lynch, if the outlets would allow it.
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