Fiona Jane Surtees

BLESSED with a talent for writing and an appreciation that family life reigned supreme, Fiona Surtees balanced both in her 41 years.

Born the second child of Ann and Brian Surtees, she grew up in Wollongong, but as a journalist worked for News Ltd in Sydney and Brisbane, and raised her family mostly in Perth and Melbourne, making Brisbane her home for the past four years.

A cadetship at Sydney's The Daily Telegraph in 1989 was the start of Ms Surtees' journalistic writing career, to which her nimble mind was well suited.

She had a great read on people, a radar for phonies, an extensive reading list, an enthusiastic spirit, an empathetic heart and an ear for a story - all assets in her professional and personal life.

Her career included stints at The Australian and The Courier-Mail. In Sydney, she became food editor at New Woman magazine, and later worked as a freelance writer for many national magazines while raising two daughters.

Ever a sports fan, particularly tennis and swimming, it was a joy for her to edit the work of her father, veteran sports journalist and broadcaster Brian Surtees, for his book Sports Stories: Yarns from the Sidelines.

Ms Surtees' sporting interests fed the competitive side of her nature. Her idea of the perfect bout was a Scrabble challenge against her father.

Despite her passion for words, Ms Surtees treasured family and friends above everything else.

"Moderation'' may best describe her approach to the everyday routines that preoccupy day-to-day living but "excessive'' was a more accurate description of the way she loved her family and friends.

The younger sister of Lisa and older sister of Petra, the trio were three modern-day musketeers throughout her life.

From friends at school, who affectionately called her "Fred'', to newer acquaintances, Ms Surtees left an indelible impression; each felt like they were her special chum.

Ms Surtees often bestowed the word "bless'' on a loved one when an anecdote was shared, anointing others with her approval and laughter.

Married to her formidable "wing man'' Bruce Richardson for 17 years, his engineering career - first in petroleum and more recently in geothermal energy - led them to move around the country.

With each move the family made, Ms Surtees set an unstoppable pace to ease their passage, immersing herself in the local community.

Ms Surtees died peacefully after succumbing to cancer.

She fell ill just 11 days before her death, after nearly two years of good health following her initial diagnosis of metastatic melanoma.

Eight years ago, Ms Surtees had a melanoma detected and removed and was seemingly healthy thereafter.

She never really complained about her lot and it was the sense of normalcy during her struggle which was one of the many precious gifts she shared with her family and friends.

A participant in the Braf inhibitor trial in the six months before she died, she never gave up hope she could extend her life until a cure was found. Her conduct belied the fragility of her health and protected her loved ones until the end.

Knowing Australia has the highest rate of melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, in the world, she understood her participation in the trial could help the future treatment of others with the disease.

This elegant approach and zest for life matched by a down-to-earth nature - the hallmarks of her own mother - live on in Ms Surtees' daughters, Abby, 12 and Mia, 9.

Ms Surtees is survived by her husband Bruce, their daughters Abby and Mia, her parents Ann and Brian, her sister Lisa, brother-in-law Peter and niece Tamsin, and her sister Petra.

Forever missed and loved is she, bless.