Ava Grace Lynch, our little ray of sunshine was born on the 9th August 2011, the adored youngest sister to three other children- Charlie, Harrison and Helena.

She is the youngest of 22 Lynch Cousins and also the youngest of the Sugar cousins in NSW. She was always the youngest and not surprisingly the smallest. To many of us, she was ‘Little Ava’. In recent times though she matured she was chuffed to know that while she was still ‘Little Ava’ she was taller than her Nanna Lynch.

Ava was always diligent and determined. She did stuff. She was organised and had purpose. She was in many ways the special ingredient in our household. She could be funny and cheeky but she was always kind and caring.

In late August and September, she had been tired, but after Doctor visits and blood tests, it was still unclear what the cause was. In the first week of term 4 2023, Ava’s teacher noticed her handwriting had changed, that she was favouring her left side and she was unstable on her feet. After an MRI scan, we received a phone call that asked us to go straight to the Woman’s and Childrens Hospital. On Friday 20th of October, we received the devastating news that would change our lives forever. Ava had a tumour in her brain. It turned out to be DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma).

Ava underwent radiation treatment to provide some relief from her symptoms. She responded really well to treatment and we enjoyed some memorable moments as a family over the December to January period. She then started a clinical trial in Sydney in January but unfortunately, she was unable to complete it as her tumour had already started to progress a lot faster than expected.

Ava was excited to start year 7 at Loreto this year but as the weeks went by it was heartbreaking to see Ava endure the cruel effects of this disease. Progressively she was unable to talk, swallow, eat and walk however she was determined to fight right up to her last day.

Ava our beautiful daughter passed away on the 20th of March surrounded by her loving family, just five months after her diagnosis.

Ava had many dreams some were not fulfilled here on earth but we hope she will inspire you all to dream and have purpose. Be the girl that never gave up on her dreams and make every day count.

Ava will always be in our hearts.