Teen dies after brave battle with cancer

SELFLESS SOUL: Gabby Devine set up a charity to help other children with cancer.PHOTO/FACEBOOK 18052015WCSUPGABBY

A Wanganui-born 13-year-old who set up her own charity while ill with cancer has died.

Gabby Devine, who died on Friday, had strong links with Wanganui, including family ties and local groups which supported her charity, Starlit Hope.

She and her brother Paddy were born in Wanganui and Gabby went to St John's Hill School.

Sarah and Roland Devine moved their family to New Plymouth for work several years ago.

Gabby became ill with a bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma, in early 2013 and underwent intensive radiation and chemotherapy to beat the disease. She also spent time in Starship Hospital in Auckland, undergoing major surgery to remove a tumour and three ribs.

While ill, Gabby set up Starlit Hope, which did random acts of kindness for children, parents and staff at the oncology ward at Starship Hospital and Taranaki Base Hospital. These included supplying Easter eggs and taking breakfast up to the children's ward on Christmas Eve. In 2014, the annual Paul's Road Live music festival at Dean and Marian Butler's property in Wanganui raised money for Gabby's family and this year the event raised funds for Starlit Hope.

One of the many death notices for Gabby in yesterday's Chronicle noted: "Our beautiful angel passed away peacefully in our arms at home after a courageous two and a half year battle with cancer."

Her funeral is at St Joseph's Catholic Church in New Plymouth tomorrow.