Local News

Amelia Reid-Meredith pays tribute to mother Robyn: “She was truly my world”

The Shortland Street star has taken to social media to pay a poignant tribute to her beloved mother, who has sadly passed away after a battle with cancer.
Amelia Reid MeredithNEXT

In a heartbreaking post shared to Instagram overnight, Amelia shared the sad news that her mother Robyn had passed away.

“Today my beautiful Mother found peace,” she wrote. “She fought the hideous cancer with such force and with such grace.

“My heart is completely broken but I find comfort that she is free from pain and suffering. She was truly my world and I will try my hardest to keep her spirit alive through my actions. Rest easy Mamma Moo. Forever in our hearts.”

Amelia’s mother, Robyn, was diagnosed with bowel cancer five years ago and fought a long battle with the disease, undergoing chemotherapy and major surgery.

Last October, Amelia resigned from her role as fan-favourite character Bella Durville on Shortland Street in order to move back home to Nelson to care for her mother.

She opened up about the decision in a candid interview with NEXT magazine, explaining why she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Mum struggled because I think she felt guilty – she didn’t want us to stop our lives,” the 29-year-old actress revealed.

Amelia with her mum, Robyn.

“People have said things to me like, ‘You’ve sacrificed your career’, and I hate that word ‘sacrifice’. I haven’t sacrificed a thing. She gave me life, so if I can do one little thing to make hers a little easier, why wouldn’t I?”

Amelia – who moved back into the family farm in Nelson along with her husband Shadon and their son, Arlo, told the magazine it was “a real blessing” being able to spend precious time together with her mum.

“I don’t like to think about the future too much, because to me that would be almost like I’m wishing her away. My main focus is being a daughter, and instead of getting all down about things, I want to keep making her proud,” she said at the time.

Related stories