THE parents of a Swan Hill girl who died after an inspiring eight-month battle with cancer have thanked the community for their support.
Taylah Johnson, 7, passed away at the Royal Children’s Hospital on August 26, surrounded by family.
“We would like to thank the Swan Hill community, family and friends for the many fundraisers that were put on during Taylah’s journey,” parents Jeremy and Josie Johnson said.
“[Which] made it possible for our whole family to be together and most importantly made Taylah feel super special.”
Taylah, who was a student at Swan Hill Primary School, was farewelled at an emotional service at The Grain Shed on Tuesday, with her coffin wrapped in Minecraft and balloons and bubbles filling the spring sky, leaving a memorable farewell to a young girl the community quickly fell in love with.
Lorraine Taverna told about 200 mourners that everyone was here because Taylah “touched the life of each and every one of you in many different ways”.
Since January, strangers opened their hearts and rolled up their sleeves to help the Johnson family.
An army of volunteers, family and friends cleaned the Johnson’s family home as they remained by Taylah’s bedside.
Taylah was in hospital after scans discovered an aggressive stage four tumour that had spread to her lungs and liver.
An online fundraising page and auction night were held, which raised more than $25,000.
In a post on Facebook, Mrs Johnson described her daughter as a “beautiful little princess”.
“She put up the biggest fight and throughout it all was always her happy, loving and caring self,” she said.
“Taylah J, my darling girl, no words can describe how we miss you soo much already, you made our family complete. Fly high my beautiful angel.”
Richardson Dance Studio, where Taylah loved performing, said another beautiful angel was dancing in heaven.
“Heaven just got another stunning dancing angel.”
Swan Hill Primary School remembered their student as a “kind, considerate and caring student”.
