Lily Thai: Woman, 23, who used South Australia’s euthaniasia laws is remembered at funeral service

A young woman who used assisted dying laws to end her life has been remembered at a moving funeral service – as her final moments are revealed by her close friend.

Lily Thai, 23, ‘peacefully passed away’ while surrounded by friends and family at Laurel Hospice at the Flinders Medical Centre on Wednesday, June 21.

She decided to end her life after a years-long battle with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) – a rare condition where a person’s body attacks their own nervous system.

The debilitating illness left her unable to walk, drink or eat without being sick with Ms Thai left in constant pain. 

Family and friends attended Ms Thai’s funeral service on Thursday, where she was remembered by loved ones as being intelligent, brave and compassionate.

Annaliese Holland, 23, who struck up a close friendship with Ms Thai in hospital as the pair battled the same illness, recalled her close friend’s final moments as she delivered an emotional speech at the service.

‘I was so honoured to be asked by Lily to be with her and hold her hand on Wednesday, and I pinky promised her, and I said I don’t ever break pinky promises, and I didn’t,’ she said. 

‘Lily was surrounded by so much love. Her family and her two beautiful friends, along with myself, we cherished those last moments altogether.’ 

Ms Holland revealed Ms Thai’s ‘final wish’ as she recalled their intimate conversations in hospital. 

‘I asked Lily what I could do for her, anything, and one wish was that she wanted her life to be celebrated and be known,’ she said.

‘She wanted her journey to be known to help others. I hope that I was able to allow her a voice to share her story on every level.’

‘Secondly, she wanted her legacy to continue on in some way. She loved the idea of something charitable, something that could benefit others.’ 

Ms Holland promised to make the 21st of June every year ‘Lily’s Day’, where lily flowers – Ms Thai’s favourite flower – will be sold to raise money for charity.

She also promised Ms Thai to continue her work with the Hospital Research Foundation for the both of them.

Ms Holland (pictured right with her mother), who struck up a close friendship with Ms Thai in hospital as the pair battled the same illness, recalled her final moments at the service

Ms Thai (pictured) was surrounded by friends, family and Ms Holland in her final moments

‘I’ll always remember you, cherish you and keep you in my heart. We will be eating your dad’s pizza like we said, up there together one day,’ Ms Holland added. 

‘I promise you, I will fight until I can’t. I won’t stop spreading awareness and I’m going to raise much-needed awareness and donations because no one should have to go through what we have at 23.’ 

‘I’ll be in the clouds with you again.’  

More to come