Port District Football Club, family pays tribute to Mirella Smith

A local mother of two has been remembered by her footy club and family as a “beautiful soul, compassionate and inspirational” in touching tributes after losing her cancer battle.

A local footy club and husband have paid tribute to a ‘compassionate and inspirational’ mother of two after she lost a four-year battle with cancer on the weekend.

46-year-old Mirella Smith passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday night, succumbing to a long-term out with terminal illness.

Mirella, mother of two boys Christian – who plays for Port District Football Club’s U16s side – and Charlie, was originally diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2021.

She underwent 23 consecutive radiotherapy sessions and then surgery before finding out she had a brain tumour in 2022, before discovering multiple lesions in different areas of her body through scans last October.

Husband Rick Smith said it had been challenging to come to terms with the loss of Mirella.

Mirella Smith with sons Christian (left) and Charlie, and husband Rick. Picture: Supplied

“It’s been very tough as much as we knew it was inevitable,” he said.

“It has hit us really hard but we’ve had so much support and the footy club in particular has been amazing.

“We can’t thank people enough and we also extend our sincere gratitude to all staff at the RAH, Western Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital who played a role in Mirella’s journey, as well as Nick Blain, a cancer survivor who came to every single appointment with his ‘cancer therapy dogs’ to offer his support.”

Rick said he and his family had received a number of messages since Mirella’s passing from friends, members of the general public, and the football club.

Port District FC member and mother of two Mirella Smith has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Picture: Supplied

“The support from everyone has got us through this so far and I’ve been in tears when reading all the lovely messages, some of which have even come from people overseas who followed her battle.

“A lot of kids from the footy team have been sending me messages directly, lads who are just 15 and 16 years of age, which I think shows the impact Mirella had on people,” Rick said.

“They’re helping the boys as much as they can. It shows the quality of the group and how the club comes together as a family at times like this.

“Mirella was such a beautiful soul who connected with so many people through her positive outlook toward life. She was so compassionate and inspirational, always smiling and never complained once.”

Port District held a fundraiser for Mirella last December which went towards the family and Mirella’s treatment and also raised enough for one last family holiday in January.

Mirella Smith with members of the Port District Football Club at a fundraiser for the family in December. Picture: Supplied

Magpies junior football president, Andrew Marks said he was proud of the club had come together to show its support.

“There’s a deep sense of pride about the fact we were able to raise enough money for the family to be able to do that,” Marks said.

“It’s been great to see the club come together because footy clubs can become and extension of your family and you need to support family in times like these.

“We all knew and admired her and her fighting qualities and ‘never give up’ attitude.

“She was an amazing person.”

The Port District U16 boys will wear black armbands in memory of Mirella this weekend.