‘WE’LL MISS HER EVERY DAY’
GRANT & LISA FAREWELL THEIR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
It’s an image that captured the hearts of a nation. An innocent little girl with bright blue eyes and a million-dollar smile perched proudly in her mum’s arms.
It was the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games, and for young Aussie swim star Lisa Curry, then 27, it was a moment she will cherish forever after clinching gold in the 100m butterfly final. In the stands that night cheering her on were two of her biggest fans – legendary ironman and husband Grant Kenny, and the couple’s precious firstborn, two-year-old daughter Jaimi Lee.
Jaimi appeared to have it all – bright, bubbly, cheeky and affectionate, with a generosity of spirit rare in one so young. But beneath the surface she privately battled with mental health issues that reportedly manifested into ongoing eating disorders and serious depression. At times, it seems, she found it difficult to cope with being the daughter of two such highprofile Australian sporting legends, and the attention that brought into their day-to-day private lives.
FAMILY FIRST
“She was so fiercely protective of her parents and sister and brother. She believed in family first and even after her parents
split, she loved everyone coming together for Christmas and special family occasions – she was a one-in-a-million, with a smile like sunshine that will now light up the heavens,” a close friend of the family tells Woman’s Day.
In the days following her death, Lisa, Grant, younger sister Morgan and brother Jett took to social media to pay tribute to the young woman who they lovingly describe as “a caring, bright and loving soul who always put others before herself”.
United in grief with his ex-wife, a heartbroken Grant, 57, bravely issued a statement last week. It was something no parent should ever have to do, breaking the tragic news of the passing of his first born.
“It is with a very heavy heart that Lisa and I confirm that our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital this morning in the company of loving family,” he wrote.
‘A loving soul who always put others before herself’
Mum Lisa, 58, went on to post, “Our hearts are completely broken... So loved. So beautiful. So kind to everyone.... So painful. I can barely breathe... Her love of flowers, cooking, art, decorating, photography, babies, the beach, and helping others will always be remembered.”
In another post, Lisa called on all mums and dads to hug their kids and tell them they love them, in the wake of her family’s heartbreaking loss.
“Sadly, I know that we are not the only parents who have lost a child... So to all the parents who have lost a child, and to those who will, today, tomorrow.... somehow I guess we get through it,” the triple Olympian penned.
And younger brother Jett, 25, shared, “I may not have been the best brother to you all the time,” he wrote.
“I know you thought you weren’t being the big sister I needed all the time. But I do know we loved one another unconditionally all the time. I will love you forever. Rest in Peace my beautiful big sister. The world lost one of its treasures yesterday but heaven gained one.”
Sister Morgan followed with this heartfelt message, “It still doesn’t feel real that you are not here,” she began. “I am so grateful for the time that I had you as my big sister. I am grateful that Flynn got two and a half years with his Aunty.
“I am grateful for you doing my hair and letting me borrow your clothes. I am grateful for you. There is no one like you.
“I love you so much and will forever miss you. Rest now beautiful sister – you will never be forgotten.”
SHARED HEARTACHE
Thousands of messages of support have reached the Curry-kenny family, but none more poignant than one from Lisa’s most fierce rival in the pool, fellow golden girl Tracey Wickham, whose own daughter Hannah tragically died of cancer in 2007.
“Lisa, my heart breaks for u and your family. It’s a tragic time when losing a child. I can’t believe we have both lost our beloved beautiful daughters.”
And from Lisa’s husband of two years Mark Tabone, “As the tears flow and the heart aches, I write this as a tribute to a beautiful young lady, who’s life ended way too soon.”
Thirty years since that little girl was snapped in her mum’s arms as they celebrated victory, it’s an image that will always be a special reminder of a gentle young soul with a heart so pure.
In the words of her loving mum, “Rest in peace my beautiful baby. I will miss you every sunrise, I will miss you when the sun is shining and the birds are singing. I will miss you when the clouds are dark and stormy and when the rainbow appears. I will miss you when I close my eyes. I will miss you when I open my eyes.
“If I can ask you to do something from Jaimi... right now, go and give your children the biggest hug and tell them how much you love them, and do that everyday because you’ll never know if it’s the last day...”
‘Right now, go and give your children the biggest hug’