A 19-year-old woman who died following complications from a stem cell transplant after battling leukaemia has left behind deeply personal letters to her family, written for them to read after her passing.
Grace Measor died on Friday after a long and courageous fight against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a diagnosis she first received in 2017. Her family have described her as “a gift to the world,” remembering her strength, warmth, and the extraordinary way she lived her life despite her illness.
In a final act of love and thoughtfulness, Grace wrote heartfelt letters to her parents and younger sister, Sophie, to be opened only after her death. In them, she encouraged her loved ones to continue embracing life fully, offering reassurance and comfort with simple but powerful words that told them “it’s okay.” Her family say these messages have brought them immense comfort as they navigate their devastating loss.
Following her initial treatment, Grace’s health improved significantly, allowing her to thrive academically. She went on to excel at school, college, and university before beginning a career as a scientist with Johnson Matthey. Her ambition was driven by a passion for research and development in renewable energy, with her family recalling her dream of “saving the planet.”
Her father, Graeme, a senior lecturer at Teesside University, and her mother, Nichola, an occupational therapy care assistant, said they watched her grow into an “absolutely amazing woman” after overcoming her early illness. They described how, once she regained her health, she embraced life fully, travelling widely to destinations including Nepal, Turkey, Florida, Spain, Austria, and France.
Her parents said they made a conscious decision to prioritise experiences over possessions, creating lasting memories together. Nichola said Grace had a remarkable ability to form friendships wherever she went, noting that she was deeply loved by everyone she met through school, university, and work.
Grace’s story is being remembered as one of resilience, compassion, and inspiration.
