Gold Coast woman Kyla Thoms remembered in moving memorial after tragic death from aggressive brain tumour
Heartbroken loved ones have paid tribute to their ‘little ray of sunshine’ following Kyla Thoms’ short but courageous battle with an aggressive brain tumour. READ THE TRIBUTES
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SHE was the living embodiment of the song which soundtracked her life – a Little Ray of Sunshine.
Kyla Thoms, 45, was remembered on Sunday in an emotional celebration of life hosted by husband of 25 years Jason.
The devoted Jehovah’s Witness tragically died August 12 after a short but courageous battle with an aggressive brain tumour.
She lost her battle less than a week on from her shock diagnosis and in a gut-wrenching twist of fate, only one day before surgery to remove the mass was scheduled.
Mum Diane, father Stuart, sister Bonnie and brother Stuart Jr were flanked by grieving loved ones on a perfect Sunday afternoon.
“She was such a beautiful, kind girl. I couldn’t wish for a better daughter. We were best friends, soulmates. We shared so many secrets together,” Mrs Harris said.
“I still feel numb, I still haven’t got my head around that she was sick.”
Clear blue skies and the ocean – another passion of Kyla’s – made for the perfect backdrop to the memorial at the Biggera Waters home she and long-time love Jason shared.
Inundated with mourners and global video messages, the online ceremony proved a cheerful and sombre reflection of life and legacy many could only hope to achieve.
Mr and Mrs Thoms did not have children of their own but regularly offered respite to other foster families, taking in children for periods of time.
“I have to give complete credit to Kyla for that. She wanted to do that, we couldn’t have kids, and she really had a lot of love to give,” Mr Thoms recalled.
“I really just supported her in that and it helped fill that void a little bit for her.”
After first meeting when Kyla was 12, the pair went on to connect romantically when she turned 18. They married on Kyla’s 20th birthday.
Mr and Mrs Harris spoke of the family’s regular camping trips, joking any man who dated their daughters had to know how to camp – Jason only just passed the test.
While she was known for her zest for life and ability to touch any person she met, Kyla was also notorious for her cheeky sense of humour and love of pranks.
“When she was first born, we just couldn’t believe that we were blessed with such a lovely child. As she grew up she just became so passionate and so kind,” Mr Harris said.
Sister Bonnie said Kyla “imprinted on people’s hearts” and would be terribly missed.
In 2017, Kyla spoke to the Bulletin about how she was living with depression and had done so since she was 11.
She hoped sharing her story would help others deal with mental health issues and women in dark places would seek help: “It’s really hard to put into words, but up and down. Some days are really good and other days I just need to go to bed and be alone and let it all out,” Mr Thoms said about the month since her passing.
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Originally published as Gold Coast woman Kyla Thoms remembered in moving memorial after tragic death from aggressive brain tumour
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