Kyra Cooney-Cross shares heartbreaking tribute after mum dies following cancer diagnosis

Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross has paid tribute to her mother, who died last week following a battle with cancer.

Cooney-Cross, 24, revealed Jessica Cooney died aged 45, just seven months after sharing her diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer.

“On Friday, the 10th of July, my biggest fear in life happened right in front of me, and never in my life did I think I’d be having to see you go so soon. You should still have another 45 years of precious life in front of you,” Cooney-Cross shared in a heartbreaking post to Instagram.

The star footballer had been based in the UK while playing for Arsenal, but returned to Victoria this year to be by her mother’s side.

“My biggest fear isn’t death. It’s seeing my mum so vulnerable,” she said.

“It’s losing my mum before I can give her the life she truly deserves. She’s given me everything, her love, her time, her strength, and she never asked for anything in return. She deserves the world, and I just want to give her all the happiness and love she’s given me.”

Cooney-Cross said she feared for a world where she couldn’t hear her mother’s voice and had hoped she’d live to see “all her sacrifices mattered”.

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“I’ve watched her carry the weight of the world on her shoulders, fight battles she never let us see and swallow her own pain so we could have peace,” she said.

“And despite everything life has thrown at her, she still showed up for us every single time with a smile.”

She described her mother as “the most beautiful, patient, gentle, wise, loving, courageous and strongest person I know”.

“You’re my biggest inspiration and the person I aspire to be. Mum, my favourite part is knowing that I’m a little piece of you,” she concluded.

“Gosh, I miss you so much. I love you.”

Her Matildas teammates were among the thousands who sent condolences.

“Sending love to you and your family, Kyra,” Sam Kerr said.

“[My] heart breaks for you having to go through such a loss,” Sophie Harding said.

“How lucky you are to have such an amazing mum and how lucky was she to have you. Sending you so much love and strength.”

The Matildas account said: “Forever in our hearts. Sending all our love and strength to you and your family, Kyra. Always here for you. Your Tillies family.”

Not long after sharing her mother’s diagnosis in January, Cooney-Cross said the family celebrated a bittersweet day when Cooney married her long-time partner, Andy, while in hospital.