Sunshine Coast real estate agent Monique Parry dies of terminal pancreatic cancer

A popular Sunshine Coast real estate agent has tragically lost her battle with cancer, with her heartbroken mum paying tribute to her kind and loving daughter.

Monique with her brothers Trent (left) and Ryan Parry. Picture – contributed.

A beautiful and renowned Sunshine Coast real estate agent has tragically died of terminal pancreatic cancer after a brave battle.

Monique Parry, 38, of Maroochydore, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in October 2023.

She died on Wednesday, September 11, in palliative care at Buderim, on the Sunshine Coast.

Ms Parry previously worked as a successful travel agent before becoming one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular real estate specialists.

What started as managing Flight Centre at the Sunshine Plaza turned into a 10-year job in corporate travel that saw her soar through the ranks of the company across the state, nationally, and overseas.

While working for Flight Centre, Ms Parry travelled to more than 60 countries.

She was crowned Sunshine Coast Agent of the year 2023, for her work in real estate, and had continued working as a freelance travel agent with some of her high-end clients.

Monique Parry. Picture: Contributed.

Ms Parry leaves behind her partner Dave Smyth, dog Luna, her parents and her two brothers.

She was the fifth generation of the Parry family to live on the Sunshine Coast, since her great, great grandfather settled here from Wales.

Ms Parry was born at Nambour, attended Chevallum State School and graduated from St John’s College, Nambour.

After high school she travelled overseas for a gap year, which turned into an extensive period of travel.

She also modelled in England and on the Sunshine Coast.

Her parents, Alan and Faye Parry, said they were heartbroken by the loss.

“She was an amazing woman and I’m so proud of her always,” her mother said through tears.

“She worked hard too.

“Monique always was a person who worked as a team. She thought about other people all of the time – not just herself.

“She helped so many people throughout her life.”

Monique Parry. Picture: Contributed.

Her grieving mother said her daughter’s loss had hit the family hard.

“Whatever Monique did she gave it 100 per cent,” Mrs Parry said.

“And she did it well.

“There was no ego to her. She always supported everyone around her.

“Although she was the youngest of three she always acted like the oldest and had them organised.

“She was so close with her brothers.

“Every friend will speak to how much she helped and supported them.

“Monique was an inspiration.

“She never spoke ill of anyone and would never gossip.”

In the lead-up to her tragic death the realtor underwent a lifesaving surgery to remove a tumour and then six months of gruelling chemotherapy.

Monique Parry with her dog Luna. Picture: Contributed.

In the eight-hour surgery they removed the tumour along with half of her pancreas, gallbladder, a lot of her intestine, and a bit of her liver and stomach.

Surgeons then removed 36 lymph nodes and 11 of them has cancerous cells.

On June 18, after the Parrys thought the worst was behind them, a scan showed the terminal cancer had spread to Ms Parry’s liver.

She had three new tumours.

With the support of her friends and family, Ms Parry cut her chemotherapy short and headed to Mexico.

Her mother said her daughter was forever grateful to her Australian medical team.

“She was supported unconditionally by her doctors, oncologist, GP and her amazing specialist,” Mrs Parry said.

“They respected her journey and supported her when she went overseas.

“Monique really appreciated the doctors who looked after her and their support.

“After embarking on her alternate journey (in Mexico) she was so healthy and lived life for those few extra months.

“She was incredibly happy before it all went so terribly wrong with the blood clots in the last week.”

You can support the Parry family here.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast real estate agent Monique Parry dies of terminal pancreatic cancer