Jackie was only 50 when she died of cancer. She'll forever be remembered as a devoted mum of five and an avid traveller who cherished her time in London and Singapore.
"My mum was the kindest and most welcoming person ever," says her daughter Madelyn. "She would offer anyone a spare bed in our house and always said 'the more the merrier'."
Her sudden diagnosis and rapid decline turned Madelyn and her family's world upside down.
A devoted mum, gone way too soon
An avid traveller who'd lived in London and Singapore, Jackie met Madelyn's dad, Neil, during one of her many overseas adventures. Jackie loved travelling so much, she even became a travel agent.
"She gave up work to be a stay-at-home mum and supported us through everything - dance, netball, soccer, football. We were so lucky," Madelyn remembers.
But in early 2024, Jackie's health began to decline.
"I think she knew something wasn't quite right a couple of years ago, but she pushed through. She was so young, she never thought it could be cancer."
By June 2024, Jackie was diagnosed with cancer in her bowel and liver.
"It's something you can't really prepare yourself for," Madelyn says. "But Mum was positive and reassured us - she told us she was going to beat this."
Jackie began chemotherapy quickly and faced each step with bravery. But by October, they were told the treatment wasn't working. The cancer had progressed and the tumours had grown. There was nothing more that could be done.
"We just took every day as it came and tried to live life to the fullest," Madelyn says.
When Jackie died, she was surrounded by all her loved ones.
A lasting impact
Watching her mum go through cancer left Madelyn and her family heartbroken.
"The hardest part was knowing there was nothing we could do to help," she says. "We just focused on keeping Mum as comfortable and happy as possible."
It's a pain many families know too well.
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia, but when caught early, it's often treatable.
Liver cancer is also a significant concern, with more than 3,000 people diagnosed each year in Australia.
Madelyn now focuses on raising awareness for these cancers, saying, "my hope is that more people become aware of the early signs and symptoms.
Taking the plunge for Daffodil Day
Since Jackie's death, Madelyn is always looking for ways to honour and remember her mum.
This August, Madelyn is taking the plunge for the Daffodil Day Dip. She'll be braving a cold dip in the ocean, lake, river, pool - even a bath - to raise funds for cancer research.
"Last year I dipped nearly every day of the month until Daffodil Day," Madelyn says. "It gave me something to focus on and reminded me why I was doing it."
This year, Madelyn is encouraging others to get involved too.
You can join in on 21 August for Daffodil Day or choose a day that suits you. Dip once, twice, every weekend or daily - it's entirely up to you!
"If you're thinking about doing it but not sure - just do it! There's nothing to lose, and so much to gain. It's fun, it's refreshing, and you're helping raise money for a really important cause," says Madelyn.
"My advice to others going through something similar? Be together." says Madelyn. "Don't take any day for granted. Take lots of photos. That's one thing I wish I had more of - photos of Mum and all of us together."
Jackie's warmth and adventurous spirit live on through her family - and through the hope they're creating by fundraising and donating to cancer research.
If you want to raise funds in memory of a loved one with cancer, join or donate to the Daffodil Day DipDaffodil Day Dip this August. Together, we can fund vital cancer research and bring us closer to a future free from cancer.
Want to get involved in Daffodil Day? Register to fundraise at home, work or in the community.
