'These are rules Melissa lived her life by': Mum who was given just three weeks to live after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour left her children with a very touching list

  • Melissa Nielsen was diagnosed with a brain tumour a month before death
  • The 38-year-old was remembered by her law firm for baking and bright dresses
  • Melissa was farewelled in an intimate ceremony in Queensland on Tuesday 

By Zoe Zaczek and Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A mum-of-three who died three weeks after she was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour left her children a list of rules to live by.  

Melissa Nielsen, a lawyer from Cairns in Far North Queensland, died on June 10, aged 38. She is survived by her husband Roger and children Harrison, ten, Jasmine, eight, and Edison, four.

Melissa was farewelled at Black's Funerals in Innisfail on Tuesday morning and more than 300 mourners observed the intimate service through a livestream, The Cairns Post reported. 

Melissa Nielsen died weeks after she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour

Melissa Nielsen died weeks after she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour

Danielle Furmage paid tribute to her 'amazing' sister and described her as the 'glue' that kept the family together.

She told the service Melissa left her children a special list.  

'In her very short weeks after her diagnosis, Melissa started compiling a list of things she wanted her children to know,' she said.

'These are the rules in which Melissa lived her life by.' 

Melissa's husband Rudy said saying goodbye to his wife was one of the hardest thing's he had to do.   

'Melissa wasn't a sad person so I want to celebrate the fun and joy of her life,' he said.

Melissa grew up in Cairns and studied law in Townsville before returning to her home town to practice law at Miller Harris Lawyers.

There has been an outpouring of tributes from the Cairns community following the loss of Melissa Nielsen (pictured with her husband at a fundraiser last  November)

There has been an outpouring of tributes from the Cairns community following the loss of Melissa Nielsen (pictured with her husband at a fundraiser last  November)

The law firm, where Melissa has been a partner since 2013, led the outpouring of community tributes as she was remembered for her baking, bright dresses, celebration and being the life of the office.

'Melissa will be remembered by her clients for her dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to their cause and to her home region,' the firm wrote on Facebook.

'Melissa's spirit, drive, and empathy for all will not be forgotten. She has lived her short life fully and deeply, and is an inspiration to us all. We will miss her terribly.'

Melissa was also a passionate advocate and fundraiser for the Send Hope Not Flowers maternal health charity.

'Melissa was one of Send Hope Not Flowers' most hardworking fundraisers, and friends and family can choose to honour her memory by making a donation to our maternal health programs, so that another mother can enjoy a safe birth somewhere in the world,' the charity wrote.

Melissa leaves behind husband Roger and three children under the age of ten (pictured)

Melissa leaves behind husband Roger and three children under the age of ten (pictured)

'We hope to use these donations to fund a meaningful tribute to Melissa in the coming months.'

Melissa was also heavily involved in her children's school, St Joseph's Primary School, and principal Gavin Rick recalled the final conversation he had with her just last week in a YouTube tribute.

'In my last conversation with Melissa, we spoke of each of the children. She was able to express her desires for them all and their need for support during this most difficult of times,' he said.

'Her love for her family shone through.

'She said to me, 'Gavin you need to know the community we've built together is amazing'. I got a sense she was comforted by the love and support she had.'

Mr Rick hailed Melissa as a champion of the school who was always willing to contribute ideas and her time. 

Aunt Lindy Huey said her niece was determined to do many things before she died.

One of the last things Melissa wanted to do set up a bursary for a female Year 12 student who excelled in leadership at her former school Babinda High School.

A MyCause page launched by Miller Harris colleague for the annual scholarship has raised more than $15,000.

Her law firm said Melissa Nielsen (pictured with her family) was best known for her baking, bright dresses, celebration and being the life of the office

Her law firm said Melissa Nielsen (pictured with her family) was best known for her baking, bright dresses, celebration and being the life of the office

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Mum who died three weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumour left her children a special list

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