Ablett aunt pays tribute to ‘amazing’ Natasha

THE aunt of Gary Ablett has spoken about how the family tried everything to save the football player’s sister Natasha, but her struggles with mental illness had become too much for their “beautiful girl”.

Janice said her “amazing” niece would never be forgotten.

THE aunt of Gary Ablett has spoken about how the family tried everything to save the football player’s sister Natasha, but her struggles with mental illness had become too much for their “beautiful girl”.

Natasha’s aunty Janice Ablett wrote an emotional tribute to the 35-year-old, who died this week.

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“Mental health is a very destructive sickness,” she wrote online.

“We tried everything my darling ... you suffered so much.”

Janice described her niece as “amazing” and “unique” and said she would never be forgotten.

“We laughed and embraced each other with the most amazing of unconditional love ... (I will miss the) special little giggle we always had together,” she wrote.

“You were so precious to me. You were the most amazing, beautiful, unique niece I could ever have had.

“My heart is broken. I’ll never forget you my beautiful Natasha. I’ll love you forever.”

Janice Ablett wrote that her “amazing” niece would never be forgotten.

The footy world is reeling over the death, with messages of support for the Ablett family flooding social media and fan-sites.

The Geelong Football Club issued a short statement describing the death as a tragedy and requesting privacy for the family.

“The loss of Natasha is a terrible tragedy for the Ablett family. All of our thoughts are with Gary, Sue, Gary Jr, Alisha and Nathan and the Ablett family at this time,” the statement said.

“To lose a child and a sister is devastating and we ask that the family be given time to grieve in privacy.”

Gold Coast Suns boss Mark Evans said the club was heartbroken.

Natasha Ablett.

Gary Ablettt Jr and Jordan Ablett.

“The Gold Coast Football Club is heartbroken today at the loss of Natasha and we send our love and support to the Ablett family and Natasha’s wider circle of friends,” Evans said.

“At this time, we are working closely with Gary and his family to support them where we can ... this is a deeply distressing time for everyone.”

Former Cats president Frank Costa said the Ablett family was deeply loved and respected by the Geelong community.

“Young Gary has been such a pillar of strength in that family over the years.

“He supported Natasha, his mum and his younger brother. He’s been a fantastic stabilising influence for the family and he’ll be certainly called upon now to be the pillar of strength that keeps them going.

“Natasha had been facing an awful lot of challenges for a long time and I know Gary has been a pillar of strength for her and he will be now for the rest of the family,” Costa said.

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