Friends and family packed the Broulee Memorial Gardens Chapel on Monday, June 18, to celebrate the life of Samantha Renee Sinclair.
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Her mother, Tracey, said Sammi would have been overwhelmed: “She didn’t think anyone would come to her funeral.”
Tribute was paid to a smart, funny, positive woman who lit up the lives of those around her, and was determined life would be “normal,” despite brain cancer.
Like all she did, Sammi’s funeral was not “normal” – it was bright, beautiful, and filled with love and laughter, as well as sadness for a life cut short.
Her parents read the following: “Just a warning folks, the following may contain language that may offend some, but Sammi found certain words or phrases handy to describe certain people, situations or life. Sammi wasn’t a potty mouth, but she would call a spade a spade, or a f---ing shovel.
“We thank everyone for all the visits, phone calls and messages, the forest of flowers, and for coming to celebrate the life of our beautiful daughter Sammi, Warrior Princess, round-peg-in-a-square-hole girl.
“Sammi was born in Cooma and lived at Nimmitabel until the age of five, when we moved to Burrill Lake (basically, to thaw out). She formed friendships that continue to today.
“Half-way through year 6 we were on the move again, this time to Albury. With bigger schools, universities and tech colleges it promised more opportunities. Sammi formed friendships with special people, some here today. Thank you.
“Despite not being sporty, Sammi joined the Thurgoona Netball Club, mainly for the social scene. Sammi was surprised to find she not only liked netball, but was good at it. After all, Sammi often stated: “Does this body look like I run?”
“As Sammi was finishing year 12 exams, she started to seriously complain of headaches. It was the beginning of her long, painful journey. A visit to the neurologist and a couple of tests later, we were told there was nothing to worry about, but as soon as she put down her pen in the final exam she was to see him.
“In the 12 years Sammi fought brain cancer she (had): 33 MRIs – more tests than birthdays; two major operations where she was put under, her skull removed then woken up to talk to staff while they removed the tumour. These were instances where her unique use of the English language was gifted to others. She had to learn to walk, talk, shit‘n’shoot all over again; seven weeks of radiation therapy, getting her ‘zap on’ on her way home from full-time work. Nothing would stop her from being normal; she had too many blood tests to count; a full round of oral chemo, and two doses of IV chemo, until told there was no benefit; medications that made her nauseous, irritable, both agitated and tired, gain weight, and quite depressed.
Sammi always showed empathy, calming aggressive patients in an emergency department when others couldn’t. Her job was as receptionist, but filled the void of councillor and mediator.
Sammi sayings:
- “Don’t be a sissy … ” oops can’t read THAT one out …
- “Delicious” – that’s for the boys, not food.
- Give a little woo-hoo
- “Harden the f… up.”
- “NORMAL.”
- “Sorry, not sorry.”
- “Ciggie.”
- “Just saying.”
- “Waterlemons, cavarans hostipal and pecalins.” All of which she pronounced correctly after her first operation.
Sammi had a collection of looks she gave to people free of charge, and they knew exactly what that meant.
As a parent, two of our most used sayings to Sammi were:
- “Slow your speaking down, Sam.” Her reply: “You need to listen faster.”
- “Please Sam, inside yelling.”
The family thanked “all doctors, staff, specialists, neurosurgeon John McMahon, and GP Paul Rothe, who made numerous home visits in his own time; the lovely people at Batemans Bay Community Health; Teresa from the Mogo Lolly Shop, who was inspirational in her fundraising efforts, and also for motivating Sammi to set up her Gofundme Page; everyone who donated monies, goods or services to make Sammi’s fight a bit easier financially.”
The family said the purchase of a scooter was a positive moment.
“It gave Sammi back her independence and wow did she know how to manoeuvre it in the smallest of spaces.”
The family thanked Sammi’s best friend, Hanna, the person behind Sammi’s Fight: “She spent untold hours and expense to raise a considerable amount of money and awareness of Sammi’s journey. Hanna has been by Sammi’s side till the end. Forever in your debt, Sammi’s sister from a different mister.”
The family thanked Sammi’s partner Chris Newsome: “We’re sure this Druitt from Lithgow came into Sammi’s life for a reason; not only someone to share her life, to stand by her when she suggested he leave rather than ‘hang around a sick chick,’ but someone to care for her like no other.
“What other bloke in his 20s would devote every moment of their life to care for someone they only met last year?
“And it was full-on care. Chris Newsome, that’s who – our adopted son, son-in-law, friend for life.
“So farewell our beautiful girl. An inspiration to so many. A smile to light up a room, light up the world, light up peoples lives.
“A smile on a star in the night sky, a laugh now shared with every kookaburra we hear. Sammi Sinclair, Warrior Princess, our gorgeous girl, safe travels.”