05-05-2025
Kilmarnock mum pays tribute to hero daughter after tragic cancer battle
Beloved Kilmarnock teen Katy Hay passed away peacefully after brave battle with cancer.
A heartbroken Kilmarnock mum has paid tribute to her "strong and resilient" daughter following her tragic death.
A 15-year-old Katy Hay sadly lost her battle after fighting one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of bone cancer for the past year.
Katy was diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma, also known as Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma, on April 12, 2024 after complaining of a pain in her thigh for three weeks.
Since then, Katy endured hospital stays, 10 rounds of chemotherapy and had major surgery as well as radiotherapy to help with the pain after finding out her cancer was back.
The family received the news that her cancer was terminal in March and since then Katy was taken home to spend time with her mum Shelly Cornick and sisters.
She also had constant contact with specialist nurses that assisted her with anything she needed.
Katy passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, April 29.
Shelly, 45, said: "I want Katy to be remembered for being loving, funny, stubborn, a deep love for her family and friends she was creative and enjoyed life. As a family we have a dark sense of humour and that's what keeps us going. Katy was good at shocking people with some of the things she would say.
"I have to say how strong she was over the last year. She went through more than anyone should ever have to go through and she did it all and just got on with it. She had her moans but it would be about specific things and as a whole she was so resilient."
Shelly continued: "She taught us how to find the best in a situation. Katy was very literal - everything was black and white so she knew that even though the chemotherapy made her sick it was the only thing that would attack the cancer, she taught us all to make the most of each day and find the good.
"You got one of two energies from Katy, either she was in a daft mood and made you laugh so much when being daft with her sisters or every word that came out her mouth would be a swear word and everything annoyed her but it could switch between the two really quickly.
"Being Katy's mum has been a huge rollercoaster. I didn't know I was pregnant with her until late on and she came 7 weeks later and then she was in special care. Growing up Katy had issues with her hearing and then she was diagnosed with a learning disability.
"She has always been a fighter."
Katy has seven sisters and was the youngest child. She loved Lego, going for family days out and especially having chippy by the sea and being on her phone.
As a family, Katy enjoyed Disney dinners, where they chose a Disney movie and based the food around it, for instance for Lady and The Tramp night, Katy's family would watch a movie and have spaghetti and meatballs.
Shelly shared: "My bond with all my children is strong and because Katy was the baby she was loved dearly by all who knew her.
"Although her and her sisters would fight and argue they loved and protected her.
"I admire Katy's strength and resilience and how she just accepted things that were happening no matter how horrific they were.
"I wish Katy could hear just how much I love and miss her and how proud I am of her and how proud I am to be her mum.
"She really was just amazing and with a heart of gold."
