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Kindergarten teacher and 'real-life Disney princess', 31, dies from stage four cancer just days after giving birth to her first child - as husband describes the seemingly harmless pain in her ribs that saw their life change forever

The heartbroken husband of a 'real-life Disney princess' has revealed how cancer killed his wife just days after she gave birth to their first child.

Brooke Marsay, 31, died in Brisbane on Tuesday, 65 days after doctors discovered she had stage four bowel cancer. It had already spread through her body, including her liver and stomach.

At the time, the kindergarten teacher at Kawana Waters State College on Queensland's Sunshine Coast was 16 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child.

But a seemingly harmless but nagging pain in her ribs led to the tragic diagnosis.

Brooke Marsay, 31, (pictured) died in Brisbane after doctors discovered she had stage four cancer which had already spread through her body when she was 16 weeks pregnant

Brooke Marsay, 31, died in Brisbane after doctors discovered she had stage four cancer which had already spread through her body when she was 16 weeks pregnant

She was immediately transferred from the Sunshine Coast to a hospital in Brisbane where she was treated until her death.

The couple's son, Max, was born at 27 weeks on June 24 as Ms Marsay's life ebbed away, but he died 24 hours later of complications from the premature birth.

Ms Marsay died six days later on June 30. 

Husband Ryan Marsay (right ) said his wife Brooke (left) was the 'strongest, most beautiful person you could ever want to meet'.

Husband Ryan Marsay (right ) said his wife Brooke was the 'strongest, most beautiful person you could ever want to meet'.

The kindergarten teacher, seen here in the centre with friends who said she 'lit up the room'

The kindergarten teacher, seen here in the centre with friends who said she 'lit up the room'

Husband Ryan told the Courier Mail his wife was the 'strongest, most beautiful person you could ever want to meet'.

The couple had a whirlwind 'fairytale romance', he said, that began two and half years ago.

Within three weeks of meeting, they went on a dream trip to Vanuatu together and were engaged within the year, before they wed in November 2020 and conceived Max on their honeymoon.

But after the pain in her ribs turned out to be cancer, he said it was a 'pretty horrific journey' that she had borne with 'grace'.

Brooke and Ryan Marsay (pictured) had a whirlwind 'fairytale romance' that began two and half years ago. Within three weeks of meeting, they went on a dream trip to Vanuata together and engaged within the year, before they wed and conceived Max on their honeymoon.

Brooke and Ryan Marsay had a whirlwind 'fairytale romance' that began two and half years ago. Within three weeks of meeting, they went on a dream trip to Vanuata together and engaged within the year, before they wed and conceived Max on their honeymoon.

Friends have now set up a fundraiser in honour of Brooke Marsay (left) to raise cash for Mummy's WishDonations in memory of Brooke Marsay (right) to Mummy's Wish will help mothers receiving treatment for cancer throughout Australia.

Pals of Brooke Marsay (pictured above with friends) have set up a fundraiser in her honour to raise cash for Mummy's Wish which helps mothers receiving treatment for cancer throughout Australia.

Friends have now set up a fundraiser in her honour to raise cash for Mummy's Wish which helps mothers receiving treatment for cancer throughout Australia. 

Pal Jen Brown added: 'She was one of the most gorgeous people you'd come across and she was so blissfully unaware of how gorgeous she was which made her even more so.

'She was full of sunshine and warmth and lighting up the lives of many. Brookey had the ability to make everyone she'd meet feel comfortable.' 

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