Herne Hill mum Melanie McInnes remembered as ‘incredible woman’ after her sudden passing, aged 35

A shattered Geelong father has told of the harrowing final months shared with his wife knowing she was going to die at just 35, after they received an unfathomable diagnosis.

Melanie McInnes with husband, Steve, and children Trixie, 7 and Violet, 1. Mel passed away from bowel cancer, aged just 35.

A shattered Geelong father has told of the harrowing final months shared with his wife knowing she was going to die at just 35, after they received a crushing diagnosis.

Melanie McInnes passed away from terminal bowel cancer on Monday, just six months after first learning of the disease.

She had no symptoms prior to the unfathomable discovery.

Told by doctors she “might make it to Christmas”, her cancer spread at an alarming rate.

Husband Steve McInnes, 37, said they decided to keep her out of hospital as the end neared so her two daughters, aged seven and one, could soak up every last moment with their mum.

“It was a double edged sword,” he said.

“We could at least prepare for certain things.

“My wife was super organised and was an incredible woman, so she has basically organised her own funeral.”

Mel McInnes has been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. Pictured with daughters Trixie and Violet.

The inspiring early childhood educator, who lived in Herne Hill, spent her last days recording books for her girls, writing them 16th, 18th and 21st birthday cards.

She even wrote messages of love and pride for their future engagement and wedding celebrations.

“Knowing it was coming was good in that respect,” he said.

Having to suddenly stare death in the face has taken its toll on the brave and much loved Geelong family.

“It has been horrible,” Mr McInnes said.

“It’s like a click of the fingers and everything stops.

“Our life, our hopes, we had to switch it all off.”

After launching a burgeoning skateboarding business, Skate to the Future, at the start of the year, the pair were told to quit their jobs and enjoy the rest of their short time together.

“They basically said go and make some memories,” he said.

“It was crazy.”

Mel McInnes died of terminal bowel cancer. Pictured with daughters Trixie and Violet.

They enlisted the advice of friends and family who had lost parents, searching for effective antidotes to their impending doom.

“We researched our arses off to make sure this has the smallest possible impact on the children,” Mr McInnes said.

“You are never able to fully protect them from their mother dying, but hopefully we have set some things up to make it a little bit easier for them.”

Ms McInnes was a respected staff member at Busy Bees in Geelong West.

She played the drums, loved art and skateboarding and was adored by all who knew her.

Her death has sent shockwaves across the community.

She was super healthy and informed about what she put into her body.

“She didn’t eat bad, she was almost paranoid about cancer,” Mr McInnes said.

Melanie McInnes wit husband Steve and children Violet and Trixie.

“She was pretty conscious about all these things that can contribute to getting cancer.”

But just like that, she is gone.

Mr McInnes said his wife’s death should serve as a lesson “not to take your health for granted.”

“Go and get checked once a year,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter how young you are, just do it.

“The stigma around getting regular checks needs to change.”

A GoFundMe was created for the McInnes family earlier this year, with donations accepted at www.gofundme.com/f/3180d48n3c?

Her life will be celebrated at a funeral service to be confirmed.

Originally published as Herne Hill mum Melanie McInnes remembered as ‘incredible woman’ after her sudden passing, aged 35