Sarah Morrison will be farewelled at Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday.
Sarah Morrison will be farewelled at Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday.
Ten months after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, inspirational Tauranga woman Sarah Morrison has died, leaving a legacy of selflessness and positivity she shared with everyone she met.
The brave 32-year-old fought until the end, determined she would recover and questioning why her loving husband Brett shed tears as she hugged him from her bed at Waipuna Hospice this week.
"She was still getting better in her mind," he said.
He said his wife had been "like a Tauranga Mother Theresa, everyone else comes first". A heartbroken Mr Morrison now plans to take his wife's ashes, and their beloved dog Abby, on a soul-searching trip, immersing himself in his passion for photography - something his wife encouraged him to pursue.
"I'm not making any plans, I'll just start driving.
"Maybe to the East Coast or up North because Sarah's never been up North."
Despite chemotherapy and private treatments failing to stop the disease, the couple never spoke about this day.
They were due to come home from a five-day belated honeymoon in Queenstown last week, but Mrs Morrison was too sick to travel.
I've got Sarah's legacy now, people see Sarah in me.
She was admitted to the hospice after attending an appointment with a doctor there on Monday, where she described her pain level as a three.
"She'd never let on how much pain she was in, for Sarah to say a three, it would be more like a six," Mr Morrison said.
He believes she kept her pain hidden to protect her loved ones, including her parents and younger sister Jenna, and fought to the end to prevent them feeling the pain of her loss.
"We all just told her, just do what's right for you, just stop fighting and go be an angel."
Inundated with messages of love and support, Mr Morrison said he would remember his wife for her beautiful smile, unfaltering selflessness and ability to see the positive in everything.
We all just told her, just do what's right for you, just stop fighting and go be an angel.
When it rained it was "good for the plants, the ducks would be happy, or sounded awesome on the roof".
Even when she moved into the hospice she made a point of telling him how comfortable the bed was.
Mr Morrison said he was a better person for having loved his "amazing" wife.
"She didn't make me change, she made me want to change.
"She's the best wife and the best friend that I could ever have. She's made me a better person."
Before he met Mrs Morrison he never would have organised the surfers' paddle out for 5-year-old Jack Dixon who was swept of the rocks at Mount Maunganui.
"I've got Sarah's legacy now, people see Sarah in me," he said.
He now plans to find other ways to help people, while still paying his bills.
The experience has also taught him to appreciate loved ones.
"Be there for your family and be their rock, and let them be your rock," he said.
When asked if Sarah's positive attitude helped her make the most of the time she had left he replied: "It helped her make the most of her last 32 years."
Mr Morrison expects standing room only when his wife is farewelled at Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday - the same place the couple celebrated their wedding reception.
The club also sits next to the camping ground where Mrs Morrison and her family enjoyed summer holidays.
"I couldn't think of a better place for Sarah," he said.
