Moreton Bay single mum Alison Gray dies of cancer

A southeast Queensland woman’s children were stunned when they found their mother collapsed on the bathroom floor. Next they learned time with her was running out.

Alison Gray in hospital with her children Eden, Jess and Josh Gray. Picture – supplied.

A beloved single mother is being remembered for her unconditional love and ongoing community work in the Moreton Bay region after losing her battle with cancer just six weeks after a shocking diagnosis.

Alison Gray, of Kippa-Ring, was just 53 years old when she died leaving behind three adult children; Eden, Jess, and Josh Gray.

Ms Gray’s daughter, Eden Gray, 22, said she’d always love and miss her mother.

“Saturday February 25 is a day I’ll never be able to forget,” Ms Gray said.

“As the hours passed by so fast, my little brother and older sister and I held onto our mum and watched over her while she grew her wings.

“We listened to music, told stories and took turns at saying goodbye.”

Alison Gray died peacefully in her sleep with her children by her side on Saturday, February 25.

The bittersweet goodbye came only six weeks from when she was first admitted to hospital after a life-changing fall.

Close friend of the family, Rebecca Layt, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family.

“On the late hours of January, Friday 13, her children had found her laying on the bathroom floor … she had a fall and an ambulance was called,” Ms Layt said.

“She arrived in emergency just after midnight and they took her away for CT scans a few hours later. Just after 7am the doctor came in and told her children they had discovered a massive lesion on her frontal lobe and she needs to be transferred to Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital to see the Neuro specialists.”

Alison Gray during her last trip to the beach with her children Eden, Jess and Josh Gray. Picture – supplied.

Just a week later and a biopsy revealed she had a Glioblastoma – an aggressive type of brain cancer that cannot be cured with chemotherapy or radiation.

The average life span is eight months.

“Her three children put their lives on hold and came together this past month to spend as much time as possible with their mother,” Ms Layt said.

“Ambulance Wish Queensland organised a final beach trip for Alison and her children and she celebrated her 53rd birthday in hospital with family and cake.

“Due to the short time frame, her children are now facing financial stress.”

Alison Gray was known locally for her passion for helping others, ongoing community work and support in the Moreton region – along with her fighting spirit.

“Alison was a loving single mother of her three children … she did everything she could to give her children everything they needed while having no support from her family or the fathers of her children,” Ms Layt said.

Daughter Eden said thanked those who had supported her family at a time when she was “hurting, regretful and lost”.

“The last few days have felt like a dream and I don’t know when I’ll fully come to terms with this.

“My mum didn’t have any family, just us three kids. So picking up the pieces while trying to figure out how to organise a funeral and scrape up money to make sure mum has a peaceful send off is all we wanted.

“Thank you for your support in this time, it means more than you know.”

Alison Gray’s funeral was a small service, attended by her three children and close loved ones.

Money from the GoFundMe will go towards rehoming her youngest, Josh, 18, who had been living with her when she died.