THE loving parents of two young girls died from cancer just seven days apart. Nigel Joyce was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour two years ago and passed away on May 31. His wife Marjan died on June 6 with triple negative breast cancer , which had spread to her brain.
They are survived by two daughters, aged four and eight. Family friend Angela Hawkins said: "Marjan and Nigel will now shine bright together, one big, sparkly star. "They have left behind two wonderful children, in whom we can see their shining spirit.
" Nigel, from Christchurch, New Zealand , was diagnosed with a brain tumour shortly before Marjan learned she had breast cancer . Both underwent treatment, but faced an "unimaginably challenging time" over the last two years. Nigel suffered a "health crisis" on April 25 and was admitted to end-of-life care.
He was given two weeks to live and passed away "with his sister by his side". Despite radiotherapy , Marjan began to experience vision loss and seizures. She was told her cancer had spread to her brain, resulting in leptomeningeal disease - where cancer cells travel through the bloodstream and spread to the thin tissue layers covering the brain and spinal cord (the leptomeninges).
She was placed in hospice care and died yesterday morning. Angela said Marjan would be remembered for her "quirky sense of humour and honest advice", while Nigel was "the best tickle monster" whose "playful energy and caring nature touched everyone around him". Speaking to Chri.
