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Messages and Notes from Family and Friends

to Wednesday 26th June 2013

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Chris and Catherine Pearce

Dear Geoff, Sharon and Brett
We were really shocked and saddened to hear of Tanya's passing today
We didn't get to catch up nearly enough but on the occasions we did it was always fun
We also loved having the opportunity to stay in touch via Facebook over the last few years
Tanya's updates were always fun, happy and encouraging
We know she will be sorely missed by you guys, and we also want you to know that she will be widely missed
Sending all our love, thoughts and prayers from across the world during this difficult time

Fernando Roneberg

Sharon and Geoff, I do not have words that come to express my sadness at this moment
I still can not believe it and understand it
Although you are far away physically, you are very present in my heart
All my thoughts are with you at this moment
I was in love with your daughter, in secret, since I met her through the internet (http://www.ronebergcairns.com/)
With much love and respect from Portugal

Liz Monson

Dear Sharon and Geoff
What the !!
I have just opened Facebook to play my turn in scrabble with Fiona and cannot believe my eyes !!
Words just do not seem enough but I want you to know that I am thinking of you
Let me know via an email when and if you are up to having a phone call from me or maybe a visit
Love to you on this most very sad day

Christine West

Sharon, my heart goes out to you
If you need someone to talk to further down the track or just to have a good cry, don't hesitate to call me anytime
Words are insufficient but please know you have many people who care about you

Turner Family

Geoff, Sharon and Brett
We are thinking of you at this time
We have enjoyed seeing the updates and milestones on your family page and we hope that the many happy memories you have of Tanya are a comfort to all of you
Please accept our condolences, on our own behalf and on behalf of Cairns Junior Baseball League
Daryl, Kirrily, Daniel and Luke

Rodney and Sue Roneberg

Hi Geoff and Sharon
While we can't even imagine for one moment what you are feeling right now, we would like to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family
Even though Tanya was all grown up, I still see a little toddler that I used to mind while her Mum went back to work
She was always such a sweet girl
All our love to you

Barry and Ronda Peace

Hi Geoff, Sharon, Brett
With heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Tanya
May you find comfort in your many beautiful memories of Tanya and all you shared together
There is so much that should be said at this time, but no words seem adequate

Tamara and Jarrod McRae

Hi Geoff
I just heard the sad news of Tanya's passing
We would like you to know our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time
If possible can you please let us know when Tanya's funeral will be as we live in Perth and would really like to make it to pay our respects

Thompson Family

Geoff, Sharon, Brett
All of us are saddened to hear the tragic news re Tanya
We hope you are holding up as well as can be expected in this difficult time and our thoughts are with you
If we can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to ask
Peter, Maggie, Chris, Michael and Sam

Warren and Ronda Flanigan

Dear Geoff Sharon and Brett
Please accept our condolences for your tragic loss
We can't begin to I imagine the grief you are going through
Only to say our thoughts and prayers are with you all

Dave Mawby

Hi Sharon,Geoff and Brett
I am in shock, as is everyone
My thoughts are with you at this terrible time
Be strong
All my love

Warren Family

Dearest Geoff, Sharon and Brett and family
I’m sooo sorry for your loss and am still in shock and devastated from the tragic accident and loss of our beautiful Tanya on Saturday
I have always loved your website and thought how cool when Tanya was copying her photo CDs when we were in London and sending them home to you to upload and catalogue
Now it has just become one of the most precious things ever where we can see, watch and remember her and everything that she did
Words cannot describe the pain, loss and suffering I feel, let alone what you all feel and I just wanted you to know how much she was loved and will be missed sooo very much
Could you kindly let me know details of Tanya’s service when you know please
All our love to you always
Claire, Larna and Tobey

Erina and Peter Hutton

Dear Sharon, Geoff and Brett
Such a devastating loss to you all.
We respect your need to grieve privately, and we know how much she was loved by all her friends and family
I was privileged to follow her inspirational zest for life through Facebook
I am inspired to want to take up more fitness soon because of her infectious desire to always go further
Please accept our love and care from a distance

Thomas Family

Geoff, Sharon and Brett
I am so sorry to have heard of your loss and I offer you our condolences and deepest sympathy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Phil, Etta, Lachie and the girls

Mark and Wendy Carmady

Dear Geoff and Sharon and Brett
I am so sorry, I am so sad for you
I remember the day I came and bought my dolls down for you to see and appreciated what wonderful people you are
I was in the car when Brett was speaking with Mark the other day
I said 'What a nice guy he is'
Such a hard time for a such a close knit family
I hope you don’t mind me emailing ... I just wanted to express my sympathy somehow
I lost my brother when he was 38 .... quite a few years ago
While I can’t imagine the grief you are suffering today, my heartfelt love is with you
I know Mark shares my feelings for you with me
Lots of love

Terry Roneberg

You are in my thoughts and prayers
Can't imagine how you feel
Lots of love to you both and Brett as well
So sad, so wrong
Please say 'hi' when you are ready
Hugs and love to all of you

Love you all
Dunno what else to say at the moment
All put you arms around each other and have a big hug and sense me in the middle

Velda Perkins

Sharon, I can't even imagine how you are feeling
I couldn't believe it when I heard the news
Its a mother's worst nightmare
My darling girl, my heart cries with you
Knowing what a close knit family you were
If there is anything I can do please let me know ... even if you want to sit, cry together, whatever
It is a absolute tragedy
Tanya will be greatly missed by all who knew her
I hope you have plenty of support and help over the next weeks and remember if you need or want anything I am here
Love always

Tina Redmond

Dear Geoff and family
My deepest sympathy, and my heart goes out to you all for your loss
I only knew Tanya for a little while, but she touched the lives of many and certainly made us smile, and for that, I am truly thankfull
My thoughts and prayers are with you all

Shane Walsh

Hi Geoff, Sharon and Brett
Please accept our deepest felt sympathy for your loss
Mez and I are thinking of you all, as is everyone here at the Facility
Tragic

Gavin and Jane Roneberg

Hi Geoff
Neither the printed word or a voice can portray the immense tragedy of the situation for you all
For each of you as individuals, and, as a wider family group
A mum, a dad and a brother; to have lost such a beautiful and vibrant young lady in the most tragic of circumstances is nothing short of devastating
Whatever I can say offers little other than to know we all care
I care, and Jane cares
And even though in recent times our own children knew little of Tanya directly, their knowledge of her greatness lives on in our stories about her
Passion, selfless giving, deep caring and love of others are the basis of any story describing what we know of Tanya
The news that you shared Geoff last Saturday seemed surreal but the expression and profoundness of your grief gave the reality for such a traumatising event
I was stunned when you shared and the passing of time provides the only single basis for the belief in what has actually happened
This is an enormous and immense event for any single person to have to deal with
You have each other ... you have love for each other
And, in amongst all of this there is a wider family including Kahlia, Ramsay and Tai and the many friends of Tanya that you would know so well
I cannot imagine the difficulties that you must be facing managing your grief and being able to share with each other
I respect your requests and we’ll remain here in Brisbane
Our Parish Priest is a wonderful man named Fr Ron Mollison and this weekend will be offering Masses in honour of Tanya
He will also be offering Mass in support of all of you ... those who are grieving
I am part of a massive national Catholic men’s ministry and the whole core team is now praying for Tanya
Also, Sue Roneberg is coming to Brisbane in a few weeks and we will be sharing some special time in memory of Tanya
There is a higher power for, and in all of us
Tanya has, without doubt, seen the face of God, our Heavenly Father
Of that, I believe, you can be assured
His plans are never our plans ... however difficult that is to comprehend and understand
Geoff, you are my brother ... that gives us a special bond
Distance and/or difficulties in communication aside, does not negate the profound care, love and sadness I feel for you all
As much as I want, I cannot comprehend the enormity of any of it
Geoff, Sharon, Brett, Kahlia, Ramsay and Thai: just know ... please know of our love, prayers, care and concern
In amongst the darkness, eventually there can and will be light
God bless you all

Geoff
Thanks for sharing this ... we have in fact been following the news feeds regularly throughout the week
Memorials and funerals by definition are difficult events, but they allow for acknowledgement, sharing and transition ... ever so important in the depth of grief
The enormity of the event would have shown the love and impact of Tanya’s full and wonderful life
The care shown by others was immense and that in itself can bring consolation and comfort ... if not now, but into the future
Our prayers were with you all yesterday afternoon and they remain constant now
All of you can be assured of our continued love and care
Time doesn’t always heal, but it does show us ways of coping
I wish you all peace as you continue on a difficult journey

Jaqui Searson

Dear Geoff and Sharon
I hope you don’t mind, but I got your email address from your webpage which I have been looking at a lot over the last few days
My name is Jacqui and I met Tanya in the Greek Islands when I was her tour guide
Firstly let me say that I am terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved daughter
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since Saturday
I know how close your family are and how much Tanya loved you (and can tell just how much she was loved back)
I can’t begin to pretend how much you are all hurting right now
I myself have cried a lot of tears since I read the terrible news
Such a waste
I only stayed in touch with a handful of passengers that I met when I was overseas
However, Tanya and I became firm friends from the moment we met
She was one of a kind, your daughter
So full of life and willing to try new things and people were attracted to her like a magnet
She was an amazing person who just had a knack for people
We kept in touch well after the tour ended
We caught up in Melbourne and contacted eachother on Facebook
Her last message to me was telling me how happy she was for how my life had turned out and how happy I looked
She was always thinking of others and took the time to tell people that
One of the most amazing nights I will ever remember during my four years overseas was with Tanya
We were in a little town called Oia in Santorini
Tanya and I watched an amazing sunset, saw a couple get proposed to and then came across a beautiful little cafe on the cliff top that was playing the most hauntingly beautiful song
We stopped at that cafe, got a drink and listened to the music and it was like the world stopped
It was just a perfect moment
That song, 'True Love Waits' by Radiohead, is still one of my all time favourites
I listen to it regularly and whenever I hear it, I will be forever reminded of your precious daughter
That night she left me in the cafe while she went to find a postbox to send you a postcard
I met a lot of people during my time in Europe
I can hold my hand on my heart and say that Tanya’s love for her family was more evident than with anyone else I had ever met or met since
She talked about all of you so often with such fondness, that I actually felt like I knew you all
I have been looking into flights, but with a very active two year old that I cannot get care for so it’s simply impossible for me to fly up from Tasmania on Thursday
I’m sad about that as I would like to bid a proper farewell to your amazing girl
Please know that I will be thinking of you all and will raise a glass for her and listen to 'our' song
I send you all the love I can muster
I hope the fact that your daughter had such a positive impact on so many people is some small comfort to you at this extremely difficult time
We were all so much richer for having met her
Lots of love
Jacqui Searson (was Jacqui Jones Tour Guide Extraordinaire)

Anne Kippin

How beautiful
She really did know our girl

Knowlton Coudrey

Tanya was indeed a most amazing person to have generated all this reaction
Love to you Sharon, Geoff and Brett

Heather Law

Dear Geoff and Sharon
My thoughts are with you
There is little I can say at this time that could ease the pain of the loss of your wonderful daughter
I know you have the support of many friends but if there is anything I can do to assist in any manner, please do not hesitate to contact me
All my love

Shaun and Sarah Coudrey

Dear Sharon, Geoff and Brett
Both Sarah and I are terribly sorry to hear what has happened and can't believe what you all must be going through
Although I have not spoken to Tanya for a very long time, Sarah and I spoke often of her achievements and got regular updates on Facebook
This seemed to keep us both motivated with our lives and prompted us to exercise and eat healthy
She was an inspiration to us all
I don't really know what else to say at this horrible time but please know our thoughts are all with you

Barry and Dael Raneberg

To Geoff and Sharon and Brett
So sorry to hear the terrible news
Hope you can find the strength to get through this shockingly tragic accident
You are in our thoughts and we hope that might be some comfort to you
Wish we could help
Kind regards

Jere and Ros Schulte

Geoff, Sharon, Brett, and Kaylia
It was with enormous sadness we learned of the passing of Tanya
As I sit here searching for words that somehow express our grief, I find it impossible to understand or accept her being taken from us far before her time
She was such a beautiful, vivacious and genuine young lady
She was a loving daughter and sister who was friendly and had a wicked sense of humour
Over the many years of my involvement with Baseball in Queensland and countless trips to Cairns with representative teams, I got to know her quite well
The Roneberg family, as you are well aware, are a very close knit unit and I pray that this closeness will help heal the wounds and pain I know you are all feeling
I write this to try in my own inadequate way to let you all know that you are not alone
There are so many people hurting from this event and we are all praying for you and are in our minds and hearts
I will travel to the memorial service to be with the many today
I will not intrude on your grieving but will try to remember and celebrate her life

Larry and Barbara Gallagher

Dear Sharon, Geoff and Brett
We are so very sorry about your tragic loss
Tanya was a remarkable young woman who brought a bit of happiness into the lives of everyone she met
We can't imagine just how difficult this must be for you all as you are such a tightly-knit family, but our thoughts are with you
Until this morning I had expected to be able to see you at the memorial service later today
Unfortunately Barbara has not been well and the only appointment she can get with her doctor is at 2.00 in Malanda
I hope that your pain will ease in part seeing all the tremendous impact that Tanya has had on people's lives
It is truly remarkable
All the very best in the coming weeks and months

Margaret McDonald

Dear Geoff, Sharon and Brett
Judy Brookman has just called me about the tragedy of Tanya's death
I understand the funeral is to be held today at your baseball ground ... a special place for your family
Please accept my deepest sympathy
I cannot even begin to guess the devastating sorrow that this brings to you all
But know that we care deeply and will be with you in thoughts and spirit this afternoon

Craig and Diane Foot

Hi Geoff, Sharon and Brett
We were absolutely stunned when we heard your bad news
For this very sad occasion, we extend our sincere condolences to you all
Thinking of you all

Bianca Rowland

I'm sorry to hear about your loss
I send my thoughts and love to all the family

Lesley and Jon Richards

Thanks, Geoff
How proud you must be of Tanya and her effect on so many lives
Love to you all

Kate Dann

Dear Geoff and Sharon
Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your gorgeous Tanya
I know you must be totally broken hearted and hope that your wonderful memories will help you cope in time with your great loss

Grace Uhr ... The Cairns Post

Hi Geoff
Firstly I just want to express my condolences for your loss
Tanya was such a fantastic person and I know how close your family is, and can’t imagine how hard this must be for you all
I just wanted to let you know that the paper is going to be getting behind Emma Miller’s memorial ride this weekend
And going forward, we’re looking to start a campaign about cyclist safety on the road and what can be done
I just wanted to check this is okay with the family
I understand you are grieving and don’t want to be disrespectful in overshadowing what happened on the weekend with other issues
Also, if and when you feel ready, if you and Sharon might like to maybe have a chat about Tanya, let me know
Thanks for your time Geoff, and apologies again for your loss

Kathy Pollitt

Dear Geoff
I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy striking your family
Please accept my sincere condolences and prayers for you, Sharon and the family
Kind regards

Angy Henn

Dear Sharon
My deepest sympathy on the very sad loss of your daughter Tanya
Having no children myself I can’t even imagine what you and your family are going through but I share your grief
I hope that you have great support from family and friends including Tanya’s wide circle of friends and colleagues and that they share with you lots of beautiful moments and times they had with Tanya
Take care

Jenny Hawkins

Dear Geoff and Sharon
I have to offer you my sincere condolences
What a terrible tragedy and I can’t imagine how you all are feeling
I had not heard of this tragedy and so am shocked to hear that again such a thing can have happened
Please know that my thoughts are with you

Judith McCarthy

I am very sorry to hear of your tragic loss
I can only start to imagine how devastating it must be for you
Our eldest son has had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for over twenty years he has had several doses of chemo, a stem cell transplant and three years ago he had a bone transplant from his brother
Rob is fourty five, runs our sheep station out of Orroroo, and has a wife and three beautiful children
We treasure every day that he is still with us
Life can be so short, my thought and good wishes are with you at this time

Eileen Gould

Hello Geoff and Sharon
Thank you for your message ... it came as a terrible shock to hear what had happened to Tanya
I am so very sorry and can't begin to imagine how you all must be feeling right now
Although I never met Tanya, I could see that she was so full of life and that you were a very close family
No-one knows what to say at a time like this but please accept my sincere condolences on your very tragic loss

Louise Ottewell

Dear Sharon
I just wanted to share a few thoughts which I hope is okay with you ??
Firstly, thank you for having such a wonderful daughter
She packed more into her thirty seven years than most of us do in a hundred !!
I am sure you have heard this many times before ... living life was her trademark
I knew Tanya for years socially through basketball and also I work in the same office as Kahlia at Skyrail
Since the day of Tanya's accident I have given up smoking, started running and sought to be the best version of myself possible
I have even signed up for the 5km Colour Run in July !!
That's all because of Tanya
Tanya lives on through her family, friends and all those who knew her, regardless of how well
I hope I can be as successful at living as she was
Tanya is a wonderful example of how to live

Note from Sharon
Thank you so much for taking the time to write
We are just so sad and miss Tanya so much
We are so proud of Tanya and the effect she had on so many people
Well done to you ... she would be very pleased with you !!
I am going in the Colour Run as well ... two of Tanya's friends asked me to join them ... I was so touched
She made life fun for us
We take it one day at a time and I try to keep doing the things we used to do together because I know that is what she would want but it is so hard without her
Keep in touch ... you and Kahlia can help motivate each other ... keep the lollies away from her though !!

Note from Louise
Thank you for your message, Sharon
I think the only way you can even begin to deal with something as huge as losing a loved one unexpectedly and in the way you have, is to take things day by day
It just doesn't make sense at all and is so unfair
I am in the team which was set up in memory of Tanya for the Colour Run ... I am guessing you are on that one too ??
Kahlia is shocking with the lollies ... she never stops ... I am trying to stay off sugar ... not easy !!

Gary Jackson

Hi Sharon
I, like many people, have used Tanya over the last few weeks as motivation and inspiration to complete my first ever Ironman on the weekend
You and your family have been inspiring and strong
To see you both standing together at Thomatis Creek during the Ride for Tanya was amazing and gave me the resolve to continue with the training
Though I never met Tanya, we competed in the same events
I ran about a kilometre with you, Sharon, in my first road race at the Rocks and you told me to get a move on when we got towards the end of the race !!
I don't what else to say but Thank You

Note from Sharon
Thank you, Gary
Tanya certainly inspired many people
I loved that we trained together and it is so hard to go on without her
I don't feel strong ... we miss her so desperately
Our son Brett has been amazing and her friends are amazing and we draw some strength from that ... it helps us go one day at a time
I can't believe I was so bossy as to tell you to get a move on but congratulations on becoming an Ironman ... it is certainly an achievement to be proud of

Note from Gary
Sharon, you are strong !!

Sue De Mamiel

Hi Sharon, and thank you for accepting my friend request
By way of background, I worked at MacDonnells Law from 2005 to 2010 at which time my husband and I moved back to Sydney
For the last twelve months in Cairns I was PA to Terry Karydas and worked closely with Tanya
We shared a love of all things sport
I especially love cricket and we would often talk about our love of ABC Grandstand
My condolences to your family
I know Tanya loved all things family as do I - hence the reason we moved back to Sydney after five years in Cairns
We are coming up to Cairns for a weekend in August
I feel then I can say goodbye
Warm regards

Note from Sharon
Tanya had so many friends and as we know she was the Facebook Queen !!
I am pleased so many of her Facebook friends are now mine
I just wanted to keep in touch with the friends who meant so much to her
We miss her so much and it is not getting any easier but it is heartening that she was special to so many people

Annette Rogers

Hi Sharon and Geoff
I'm so very, very sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful little girl
I never got to meet her as a woman but through Facebook saw of her many achievements in life and how proud you both were of her and how close a family you all have been
My heart aches for you all

Note from Sharon
Thanks, Annette
We will never be the same ... we are so sad
We were so very proud of her and loved her so much
It's hard to believe we have to continue living without her ... we are doing it one day at a time

Note from Annette
I don't even want to imagine what you are going through

Hannah Weir

Thinking of you and Geoff and sending my love
Hope you are finding a bit of joy in each day to smile for Tanya
Please reach out if you need/want anything

Note from Sharon
Thanks, Hannah
We have had quite a few "Tanya Moments"

Christie Kernahan

Hi Sharon, this is Christie, your nephew Darrin's partner
I want to take this opportunity to let you know how very sorry we are for the loss you have suffered
I cannot imagine what you are going through at this time and how much you must miss your beautiful, much loved daughter
Such a terrible tragedy
Our thoughts are with you all
Love from us all here

Note from Sharon
Thanks, Chris
It is so hard ... we miss her so much
Our lives will never be the same ... we just take it one day at a time
No day is good but some are better than others

Note from Chris
My heart really does feel for you all as a family and the huge hole that Tanya's passing has left
I'd imagine it's so difficult to cope with or come to terms with because it purely did not need to happen, and that's the very sad thing about this
Life will never be the same
I know my life has never been the same since I lost my Dad but as kids, we expect this to happen at some stage, but we never anticipating losing our own child
No words can make you feel better but I guess the extreme outpouring of love for you beautiful Tanya can stand as a testament to the amazing person you raised
There will be no day that will ever be truly happy again, that was taken from you, but I hope in time you will one day smile again and mean it
It's most understandable that "one day at a time" is all you cope with at the moment
Tanya will always be loved by all those that smile when they think of her
I hope one day you will smile, for you were her bestfriend
Our love and thoughts are with you all

Jim Mackail

Hi Sharon
I hope you and Geoff are travelling okay
The thoughts and prayers of many people are riding with you all
Tanya will continue to be a very special person in many people's lives

Note from Sharon
Thanks, Jim
It is bloody hard ... one day at a time is all we can do
We have been overwhelmed with all the support ... she's a 'Special Girl'

Bethany Knights

Geoff is hilarious sending that Culture Club email ... haha
I'm on school holidays now, and not making plans with Tanya for lunch or dinner feels so wrong
Wish she was back with us

Note from Sharon
He is always good for a laugh !!
You are right ... this is all so wrong
One day at a time ... no days are good but some are better than others ... I missed her so much today
When we go to the baseball fields for baseball or cross fit it is unbearable that she is not there
Still we have wonderful memories, photos and the knowledge that she was well loved and inspired many people and also that she was happy

Note from Bethany
I'm so glad she was
We love her so much !!
I don't know if Brett told you, but Tanya is now my 'PT' in the sky
Sometimes on runs I want to walk, but I can hear Tanya shouting from the clouds "just keep running !!"

Note from Sharon
That's nice Bethany ... she will be saying the same thing to me when as I train for the Half Marathon coming up in November ... yikes !!
Note from Bethany
You can do it ... Tanya made me and I was terrified but got it done ... I believe in you and I know Tanya does too

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Emails and Messages from Thursday 27th June 2013


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