Sad!! They Didnt Know This Would Be Her Last Pic As She Celebrates Her 20th Birthday

Gabrielle Marsh died hours after this photo was taken. She was celebrating her upcoming 20th birthday at home with friends when she suffered a catastrophic brain bleed. Photo / Supplied

Photos of the night show the young Auckland woman raising a toast with her best friends, showing off the platter of food she’d thoughtfully planned and created for the night.


Two hours after those photos were taken Gabby, as she was known, was lying on the floor of her home in agony, her mother Kathryn at her side and an ambulance on its way.

Later that night as Gabby lay hooked up to life support machines Auckland City Hospital staff delivered the heartbreaking news to her family — she had suffered a brain haemorrhage and was unlikely to survive.

The next day a decision was made. Gabby was to be taken off life support — but not until her organs had been donated.
Gabrielle Elizabeth Marsh died on March 5 2017, a day before her 20th birthday. This is one of the last pictures taken of her. Picture: Supplied/Marsh family

Gabrielle Elizabeth Marsh died on March 5 2017, a day before her 20th birthday. This is one of the last pictures taken of her. Picture: Supplied/Marsh familySource:Supplied

And on Monday March 6, on her 20th birthday, after her family had said their goodbyes, Gabby was taken to surgery.

“The woman at the hospital called me and said it was all done, and the donation was taking place as we speak,” Kathryn Marsh told the NZ Herald.

“Gabby loved doing things for other people, and that was her biggest, most amazing gift.”

Gabby’s organs saved the lives of at least six people; her kidney, pancreas, lungs, liver and heart valves were all successfully donated.

“Of course, more than anything, we would love to have her here, but that’s not to be,” said Kathryn.

“But if anything good can come out of it, if she has helped people, then that’s comforting.”

Gabby was the eldest of three children and is survived by Jacob, 18 and 16-year-old Victoria.