Peyton Ryan: Mother Jacintha McPherson pays tribute to 22-month-old killed in accident

The mother of a ‘bubbly, beautiful’ toddler who died in a tragic accident has paid tribute to her daughter in a heartfelt message to the community.

If personality dictated height, Peyton Ryan was “larger than life”.

The 22-month-old was a bubbly, beautiful tom-boy that could “light up any room” with her infectious laugh, adventurous attitude and an everlasting love for her family.

That is how her heartbroken mummy and daddy, brother and sister, grandparents and extended family are determined to remember her — not by the incident that took her life too soon.

On August 15, Peyton died in a tragic car accident on the driveway outside the family home in Lake Macquarie.

“She was full of so much joy, energy and love,” Jacintha McPherson said in tribute to her late daughter. “She was such a happy and bubbly little girl, but she was also a tom-boy and was never afraid to play with the bigger kids in our family.”

22-month old Peyton Ryan has been remembered by her family. Picture: Jacintha McPherson

Jacintha described her baby girl as “absolutely everything” to she and her partner Shannon.

“When either of us returned home from work she would call out to us: ‘mummy, daddy’,” Ms McPherson said. “When you were having a bad day, like we are today, she had the ability to pick you up in an instant — she would give us both the biggest cuddles and took all our stress away.

“She was our little ray of sunshine.”

Jacintha said she was “certain” that her baby girl wouldn’t want the family to be suffering from so much grief following her passing, instead “she would want us to celebrate her life”.

“She would never want doom and gloom,” she said. “Every day had to be a party because that was who she was — she was the party.

“She bought everyone happiness with endless smiling and laughing, so that is what we are going to try and do to every day.”

Peyton’s mum revealed that although she was the innocent toddler of the family, the 22-month-old knew how to “get into mischief”.

Peyton could “light up any room”. Picture: Jacintha McPherson

“Peyton loved drawing, but not just on paper, but she was cheeky and loved to draw on the furniture,” Jacintha confessed. “But she was also an angel and we would find her curled up with her brother or sister in bed, watching her television shows or playing video games.

“Her brother and sister love her just as much as we do.”

The toddler’s mother said her little girl loved “her family, Pikachu and being the centre of every conversation”.

Peyton’s poppy John Ryan said he would never forget his granddaughter’s infectious laugh.

“I don’t think she realised how much of an effect she had on people without even trying,” he said.

“We will never forget her, we are a changed family because we’re missing our beautiful little girl.

22-month old Peyton Ryan was killed outside her family home in Rathmines in a devastating accident on August 15. Picture: Jacintha McPherson

“We are missing the chance to watch her grow up, celebrate birthdays and Christmases and watch her accomplish my dreams.”

Jacintha said she and her partner have been overwhelmed with the support of the wider community, who have rallied around them with offers from local businesses and funds raised to “give our sweet girl the send-off she deserves” in a GoFundMe.

“People need to know that this wasn’t anyone’s fault, it was a tragic accident that has happened to a loving family,” Ms McPherson said. “We love our baby so much and will miss her more than anyone could know.”