In Memory of Tanya

After a short and private battle with a brutal neurodegenerative disease, ALS, Tanya passed away on the 8th April. She was at the beach surrounded by family and friends.

Watching her quickly lose her motor functions, including her favourite tool, her voice was impossible. To Tanya, her voice was her career and a huge part of her personality, her expressiveness, her laughter, her ability to raise everyone around her with words… all this came from her ability to speak. To lose it was completely devastating for her.

For anyone who knows anything about ALS, it is a cruel and unforgiving illness which is currently incurable with limited treatment… but the truth is it’s not.

It is however, a vastly underfunded disease in terms of available clinical support and research into its cure. Tanya experienced firsthand the loneliness and feeling of abandonment, along with the removal of hope that the lack of help to fight this diagnosis delivered.

Tanya loved her life and lived it to the full. We have already experienced severe loss and hardship, but she always fought to choose joy. She saw people immediately and always left them wanting more. Her personality was completely contagious, and she lived life big and bold without regret. The crater she leaves in life is enormous.

We always think we have more time…

Her legacy will live on through her boys and me. While she couldn’t campaign for ALS awareness during her illness, I know it would mean everything to her to support the cause in her memory.

Tanya would want to be remembered with house music playing, a wine in our hand, a smile on our face and joy in our hearts. Please make sure you do.