Stream of tears at Jess’s farewell
A YOUNG Cairns woman, who lived life to the full, was never lost for words and constantly brought laughter to others, was farewelled amid tears yesterday after losing a 10-month battle with cancer.
Family, friends and former colleagues flew in from New Zealand and across Australia to celebrate the life of 32-yearold Jessica Kate Maguire at Cairns Colonial Club.
The owner and wordsmith at Never Lost For Words – JKM Communications in Cairns, was the daughter of former Cairns Post editor and general manager David Maguire and Jackie Maguire.
Mr Maguire said his daughter had an “engaging personality, topped off by a beautiful disposition, good manners and respect for people”.
“She had this in spades, so much that she could talk to anybody at any level, from ordinary people in the streets to the premier of states.
“Jessica loved making people happy. She really got a kick out of it.”
Born in Brisbane, she spent much of her childhood in Cairns, graduating from St Mary’s Catholic College in 2005 before studying journalism at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
Later, she moved to Melbourne and worked as a media adviser for the Office of the Premier of Victoria, Victorian Transport Minister Terry Mulder and MP Louise Asher
Mr Maguire said Jess was part of a “unique single unit quartet with her parents and brother.
“We became so because we were a travelling family. Moving and transitioning were part of Jess’s nature, seeped into her DNA.”
Her love of travel was equalled only by her love of family and her cat, Boo.
“In her last seven to eight months, she crammed in a lot, while enduring very tough days mentally and physically.
“In the face of adversity, immediately after diagnosis, she was bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding and in November took a dream holiday with (brother) Nick and his partner to Bali. “She travelled the world. “She walked in the jungle, biked down volcanoes, snow-mobiled and enjoyed a few thousand sav blancs along the way.”