Influencer Jess Hurrell has died following a battle with cancer. She was 42.
“We are devastated to say that Jess passed away last Friday after an 8-year battle with cancer,” Hurrell’s family shared via Instagram on Friday, August 29. “Her positive energy was infectious and her family and friends loved her dearly and being around her.”
While Hurrell battled her cancer diagnosis, she didn’t let her health struggles keep her from living and enjoying her life.
“Even tackling this horrible disease for over 8 years, people couldn’t believe how positive and strong she was,” the tribute continued. “Most people didn’t even know Jess was carrying this around with her, as she always skipped, smiled and powered through life. We are heart broken and she will be remembered forever.”
Jess is survived by her husband, David Hurrell, and their two children. The couple shared a son and daughter whose names were not publicly revealed.
David also shared a tribute to his late wife while honoring the pair’s 14th wedding anniversary. (The couple tied the knot in 2011 after meeting in school.)
“Happy anniversary darling,” David wrote via Instagram alongside several throwback photos of their nuptials. “Can’t believe we didn’t make it to 14 but I’ve had the most incredible 25 years and am blessed to have met you. Sleep tight xxx
Jess was best known for creating interior design and lifestyle content online, eventually cultivating more than 94,000 followers on Instagram. Earlier this year, Jess opened up her melanoma diagnosis and experience battling the disease.
“Four and a half years ago I was told my Stage 2 melanoma had progressed to Stage 4 … I had a malignant mole and lymph nodes removed 18 months prior to that and was given the all clear,” she wrote alongside a February Instagram Reel. “But it was back and extremely scary. I didn’t know if I was going to be here to see my children grow up. So I started two years of immunotherapy treatment.”
The video included clips of Jess with her family as she traveled the world and visited doctors.
“In between we escaped to explore the world as much as possible. At the end of two years I was about to get the all clear again when they found the melanoma had spread to my brian and I had several brain tumors,” she continued. “So I started radio therapy on my brain.”
Jess shared that the treatment “worked” and her tumors were “gone.” In January, she completed her treatment and learned she was “cancer-free.”
“Every day is a privilege when you’ve been told what I’ve been told, and when you’ve gone to the places I’ve gone in my head,” the caption read. “The fear never completely disappears, I’m seeing my consultant this week and the next round of check up scans are due soon. So the scanxiety will raise its ugly head again.”
She continued: “But I never forget how lucky I am to be here and will continue to live my life, to explore, to celebrate everything, to just soak it all up surrounded by my favourite people. Because we’re here for a good time, not a long time and you never know when someone or something will pull the rug out from under you.”
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