A grandmother has opened up about the “ruthless” grief of the unexpected loss of her husband, just months after her twin granddaughters died in a horror accident.
Seven-year-old twin sisters Riley and Macey were killed when the car they were riding in crashed into a tree on a Western Australian highway on February 18, 2024.
The girls' mother, Rachel van Oyen, 31, was driving at the time and was the only survivor.
The girls Grandmother Lisa Lorna Blair had been mourning the loss of the girls for ten and a half months when her husband Kevin Blair, 56, died unexpectedly on January 5.
Blair suffered a series of heart attacks more than a decade ago and suffered a stroke in August last year.
The 56-year-old fell ill two weeks ago and became “very weak and exhausted” before paramedics rushed him to hospital, where medical staff attempted to re-stabilize his blood sugar levels.
“We thought that would do it and he could then come home the next day,” Ms Blair told Daily Mail Australia.
“But right there in the emergency department, he suddenly and shockingly went into cardiac arrest.”
Lisa Blair has lost her husband Kevin after her two grandchildren tragically died in a car crash last year
The girls' grandmother, Lisa Lorna Blair, had been mourning the loss of the girls for ten and a half months when her husband Kevin Blair died unexpectedly at the age of 56.
Mrs. Blair had a picture drawn by one of the granddaughters tattooed on her heart
Mrs Blair explained that the tragic heart attack was the result of Mr Blair's previous heart problems and the effects of his diabetes.
She was saddened that it was confirmed that Mr Blair had lived with an enlarged heart.
“And while that makes me cry and laugh at the same time, I can honestly say that this describes him perfectly: he truly had the biggest heart. The person who would do anything for anyone.
“The way I can process this information is that Kevin got ten more years of life than was probably ever expected. He packed a lot into those ten years and gave me the happiest decade of my life.”
Mrs Blair married Scottish-born Mr Blair in Bali in 2015 and said he tried to cram “as much joy as possible” into the couple's days every day.
'He was sometimes accused of being a big boy, and he loved it. He looked much younger than 56, had a playful nature and found creativity and fun in everything.”
Mr. Blair has served the community for many years. He initially started his career in the Australian Army Reserve, followed by six years working for the police in Fremantle, Perth.
Mr. Blair later became a respected computer and sales executive.
Mrs Blair lost her husband to a series of heart problems over the years and has endured a 'tsunami' of grief
The 56-year-old had also taken time out to volunteer in the Kalgoorie SES and found a community theater in the region with Ms Blair.
The couple then moved to Queensland's Sunshine Coast, where he continued to volunteer with the SES and teach English to Ukrainians amid the ongoing conflict.
“Kevin loved learning extra things outside of work and did everything at 110 per cent and more,” Ms Blair said.
Ms Blair said their home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland – affectionately called 'Blair Manor' – felt empty without him there.
“Kevin made me laugh and smile every day, even through tears. He told me he loved me every day, sometimes multiple times a day! He held my hand wherever we went, loved me, believed in me, praised me in a way no one ever has,” Ms. Blair said.
“I was truly blessed, and the pain of him no longer being able to walk into this room here and wrap me in one of his hugs is coursing through me right now.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ms Blair, after a separate page was created less than a year ago to help Ms Van Oyen.
“Lisa has had perhaps the most difficult years of her life – and now she expects some very difficult years to come,” friend Willow Shanks wrote.
Seven-year-old twin sisters Riley and Macey died when the car they were riding in crashed into a tree on a Western Australian highway on February 18, 2024.
“In February 2024, all of our communities, friends and families were incredibly shocked by the tragic passing of Lisa's grandchildren Macey and Riley.
'Now, in a flash – Lisa is experiencing renewed tragedy and new grief on top of her existing grief for her grandchildren, having now lost the love of her life, her 'partner in glory' – husband Kevin Blair on Sunday, January 5. ) unexpected.
'Experiencing three tragic losses within the span of just ten months, all of which were so sudden and unexpected, it can be easy for those of us to see that she needs some grace – emotionally, physically and financially as she gets through this works.'
The page has raised more than $1,500 to date, with a goal of $24,000.
The twins, who were both wearing seat belts, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in February 2024, while their mother was taken to Merredin Hospital and discharged a few hours later.
Ms Blair told Daily Mail Australia the tragedy was 'heartbreaking'.
“I have two of their soft toys on my bed, which my daughter took from their bed and gave to me after they passed away,” she said.
She remembered the last conversation she had with her beloved granddaughters.
The girls' mother, Rachel van Oyen, 31, was driving at the time and was the only survivor (photo of the crash)
'I had a trip planned to see them at the end of February last year and our last conversation was excited about that: 'Nanny is coming on the plane.'
'Unfortunately they were over before I got there.
'It was heartbreaking to lose our beloved only grandchildren at the age of 7, so tragic. I struggled terribly for months, as you can imagine. Still.'
Ms Blair said her healthy lifestyle and exercise regime, as well as her mindful practices, helped her get through the 'tsunami' of grief.
'I am grateful that the people around me look out for me and support my health and well-being.
“The grief journey is wild and can be brutal. A tsunami. Last year I learned that there is no right or wrong when it comes to grief. No one can judge and no one can decide what you should or shouldn't do.
'Sometimes you want to be with people, other times you want to be left completely alone.
“Some days I'm walking in a fog and other days I can sit down and get things done in a pinch and then fall apart later.”
The family will say goodbye to Blair on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday, and he will be sent off in traditional Scottish fashion in his Blair tartan.
