Port Augusta mum Emma Stephenson dies after tragic battle with cervical cancer

A single mother from regional SA has died just weeks after being told by doctors she had only four months to live, leaving her family devastated.

In Emma Stephenson’s final moments, all she wanted to know was that her children – 11-year-old Anton and 20-year-old Lailani – were going to be taken care of.

After being diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer on June 14, doctors told the single mum-of-two she would have four months to live and on August 22 Emma passed away surrounded by family.

“We had lots of conversations leading up to her leaving us,” her sister Megan Matthews told The Advertiser.

“She just didn’t want to leave and wanted to make sure her children were loved and looked after.”

Emma Stephenson has died after been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She is pictured with her children 11-year-old Anton and 20-year-old Lailani. Picture: Supplied

The day before the 42-year-old passed away Ms Matthews said her body was rapidly shutting down.

“There weren’t many lucid moments — her family all sat with her all day and we all talked to her and said our goodbyes,” she said.

“Her children got to sit with her and talk. At this stage she could nod her head and open her eyes.

“We all stayed with her until she passed the next morning.”

Ms Matthews described her sister as a “fighter” who lived her life “her way”.

“Emma was straight to the point and loved hard,” Ms Matthews said.

“She didn’t really like people but she did have a number of friends throughout the seasons of her life. Emma liked to laugh and had a dry sense of humour.

“She had a knack of always saying the driest joke at the wrong time but it would be hilarious.”

Emma with her 11-year-old son Anton. Picture: Supplied

Emma with her mum Katrina waiting for a chemotherapy session. Picture: Supplied

Ms Matthews will always remember her sister’s smile being like the sun, “it just lit up the room”.

Emma, who lived in Port Augusta, enjoying collecting VCRs of 70s and 80s TV shows, Care Bears and was an animal lover.

“She always had a menagerie of pets through her life,” Ms Matthews said.

“If there was a stray she found, it would end up going home with her.”

Emma was born on May 29, 1982, and died on August 22, 2024. She was 42.

She is survived by her parents and her children, Lailani and Anton.

Originally published as Port Augusta mum Emma Stephenson dies after tragic battle with cervical cancer