A survivor forever remembered
For nearly a decade, Kristy Chapman fought a battle that would have worn most people down. Diagnosed with cancer, she met every challenge thrown her way with strength, courage and a determination that could only be described as remarkable.
Kristy’s life was not defined by her illness, but by her resilience. In the face of every new prognosis she astounded her doctors with her ability to make another milestone.
Lifelong friend Emma Godsell recalls her dear friend’s way of life.
“Outwit, Outplay, Outlast was her mantra. Kristy was the ultimate survivor. And that she did. She fought with everything she had and survived longer than anyone could have predicted,” explains Emma.
But even the strongest fighters must eventually rest. Kristy sadly passed away on 11 April 2025 at just 49 years old.
In her final weeks of life, Kristy’s condition had changed and her palliative care community nurses recommended a visit to Hawkesbury District Hospital to get her medications sorted, along with a procedure to improve her quality of life to make her more comfortable.
After a few days of being admitted, Kristy was the most settled she had been in a long time. She decided it was comfortable and safer for herself and for those looking after her to stay at hospital. She had accepted what was happening to her and was palliated over two weeks.
"Kristy's medical team at Hawkesbury District Hospital were extraordinary. They went above and beyond their job description. Clinical staff called outside of their shifts to ensure she had everything she needed and her medication was enough for her needs,” recounts Emma.
“They preserved and advocated for her dignity and autonomy.”
“She wasn’t just ‘another’ person dying, she was my friend who was dying. When we asked for something, her medical team found a way to make it happen. Nothing was a problem. By providing her with personalised care, there was an unspoken respect for the dying process.
“The health care system isn’t always known for its flexibility, but the staff at the hospital did everything they could to accommodate Kristy’s wishes.”
Kristy’s life was far too short but it was rich, full, and fiercely lived. Her legacy will endure through every person she inspired and every life she touched. She truly did outwit, outplay, and outlast. Kristy wasn’t just a survivor, she was unforgettable.