‘Sadness and joy’: Bittersweet Father’s Day for single dad and widower

Father’s Day is bittersweet for Ryan Gaylard. His wife Lauren Verona, a popular Sunshine Coast yoga instructor, died within hours of giving birth to their beloved daughter.

Father’s Day is bittersweet for Ryan Gaylard.

His wife Lauren Verona, a popular Sunshine Coast yoga instructor, died within hours of giving birth to their beloved daughter.

“It’s a hard thing – as much as there is sadness, there is joy, and Lauren would say, ‘life is short, look what can happen, always let people know you love them, you’re a father, go celebrate,” says Mr Gaylard, 48, of Kawana Waters.

Ms Verona died on June 8, 2022, from an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare condition believed to be the result of an allergic-like inflammatory response to amniotic fluid entering the mother’s bloodstream.

Ryan Gaylard with two-year-old daughter Lucinda on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Richard Walker

The 42 year old briefly held her baby girl, Lucinda, to her chest before turning pale, experiencing shortness of breath and ultimately suffering cardiac arrest.

Mr Gaylard - who will spend today with his family celebrating Father’s Day - says the loss “doesn’t get any easier”.

“I see Lauren in Lucinda every single day – she has her mother’s beautiful curly blonde hair and she is an absolute delight, so loving, like her mum.”

In April this year, a court granted Mr Gaylard primary care of his stepdaughters, Ms Verona’s older children Allira, 13, and Evie, 12.

“The girls are so close, they can’t get enough of Lucinda,” he says.

Popular Yoga teacher Lauren Verona before her tragic post-birth death. Photo: Facebook

“Time to myself is scarce, but I’m trying to love and support all three girls the best way I can.

“I wouldn’t know any parents who wouldn’t have a challenge with their children, but it’s a beautiful challenge, a no-brainer challenge.

“I don’t know if I’ll get anywhere near the abundance of love Lauren had for her daughters, but I’m trying to emulate it.”

Mr Gaylard, who runs his late wife’s two Zenko Yoga studios in Maroochydore and Noosaville, says he hasn’t “had time to process his grief”.

The former Australian Special Forces soldier is also a firefighter and last week competed in the Invictus Australia Military Veterans Life Saving World Championships on the Gold Coast.

“I have a lot on my plate but the huge support from my communities – yoga, firefighting, veterans and surf lifesaving – certainly makes it easier to be a father.”

Ryan Gaylard with two-year-old Lucinda and 13-year-old Allira on the Sunshine Coast, Friday, August 30, 2024 - Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Gaylard met Lauren Verona in 2018 after his final deployment in Afghanistan.

“My military career had caught up with me; I was hyper-vigilant, my brain wouldn’t switch off,” he says.

Mr Gaylard, the son of a Nambour cattle farmer, walked into a Zenko Yoga studio and Lauren was the first person he met.

“I was struck by her beautiful golden locks and beaming smile – our daughter has that exact smile,” he says.