Secret Harbour mother Monica Smirk loses battle with cancer

A Secret Harbour mother who lost her daughter to brain cancer four-years-ago has tragically lost her own battle with cancer.

Monica Smirk was diagnosed with terminal melanoma in 2023, her fourth cancer diagnosis.

Her daughter Milli Lucas passed away in 2021 after a battle with brain cancer, aged just 14.

Monica passed away on Monday, April 7.

"Monica was surrounded by her beloved family, holding her, talking to her, loving her, as she took her final breath," a post on the Millstar Foundation Incorporated Facebook page read.

"This remarkable woman, with an insatiable quest for genuine love and kindness is now having one hell of a family reunion, dancing with her Milli, Blake, Beau, Wendy and Barry.

"Please allow Grant, Tess and Joel the space to sit in this immeasurable grief, as they honour their lifelong warrior, forever their greatest protector."

Monica's family have a genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome where they are predisposed to developing cancer.

The syndrome has taken to the lives of her mum, brother, niece, nephew and daughter.