Subj : 'Devastated': Both parents of young girls die from cancer days apart To : All From : News Date : Sat Jun 08 2024 01:20 pm By 1News Reporters Friday 6:26pm A Christchurch family has been left devastated after the parents of two young girls both tragically died of cancer within seven days of each other. According to a givealittle page set up by a family member, Nigel and Marjan Joyce lost their battles to brain and breast cancer, leaving behind two young daughters aged 8 and 4. The creator of the page, Angela Hawkins, said Marjan was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer shortly after it was found Nigel had a brain tumour. She said the family "have faced incredibly tough times over the past two years". "It has been an unimaginably challenging period for them," the page read. Hawkins said things started taking a downward turn after Nigel suffered a "health crisis" on Anzac Day, being admitted to end-of-life care with approximately two weeks left to live. She said Nigel passed away on Friday, May 31, "with his sister by his side". Just after completing radiation treatment, Marjan was told her breast cancer had gone, but "tragically" began to experience vision loss and seizures. She was informed the cancer had spread to her brain. Marjan was placed in hospice care and died yesterday morning. Hawkins paid tribute to both parents on the givealittle page. She described Nigel as having a "kind and gentle soul". She said of Marjan: "Let us remember her for her beautiful nature and how her kindness always brought out the best in everyone. "Marjan was a truly remarkable person who left a lasting impact on those around her. "Her legacy will live on through her children and family and the many lives she touched with her kindness and beautiful nature. "May Marjan and Nigel rest in peace, and may their memory continue to bring comfort and inspiration to all who knew them," she wrote. "They have left behind two wonderful children, in whom we can see their shining spirit." Hawkins also thanked those who donated to the givealittle: "The Joyce family cannot express enough gratitude for all the thoughts, prayers, and contributions during this difficult time. "When I told Marjan about the givealittle page, she was moved to tears. She brought her head to her hands in disbelief and mentioned there are many others in need of support, but her tears of happiness shone through in this moment." The givealittle page remained open, currently sitting at more than $108,000. The money would be spent on support costs for the family as they navigated funeral plans, needing to take time to support the children, and new family arrangements. --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A44 2020/02/04 (Windows/64) * Origin: S.W.A.T.S BBS Telnet swatsbbs.ddns.net:2323 (63:10/102) .