Gareth Brisbane, widower of Mel Schilling, has offered a deeply emotional account of the private funeral for his late wife, who passed away at 54 after a courageous battle with cancer. The Australian psychologist and dating expert, best known for her role on Married at First Sight, was remembered fondly by her family and close friends during the ceremony, which was live-streamed for her relatives in Australia.
In a heartfelt post shared on Instagram, Gareth praised his daughter Maddie, 10, for delivering a “beautiful” speech at the funeral, one that left the family and friends moved by her strength and poise. Gareth revealed that Maddie, despite her young age, had written and read a touching tribute to her late mother, showing just how much she had inherited Mel’s strength and grace.
he penned ‘Hey everyone. Thanks so much for all the messages of support over the past month since our girl’s passing, Maddie and I have drawn enormous strengthit’
The family honored Mel’s final wishes by scattering her ashes at the lighthouse in Whitehead, Northern Ireland, a place she had always held dear. Gareth reflected on the significance of the location, a place where strangers greet one another with warmth, a quality that Mel, known for her infectious kindness, admired.
In his post, Gareth also shared plans for a new beginning, as he and Maddie prepare to move to Bali—a place Mel had loved and where they had shared many joyful moments. Gareth expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support he and Maddie have received from around the world, thanking everyone for helping them through such an incredibly difficult time.
While remembering Mel’s remarkable strength during her two-year battle with cancer, Gareth wrote that she never once complained, even on days when she could barely lift her head from the pillow. She continued working, showing up to film MAFS while enduring chemotherapy treatments. “She was our ‘wee Melsie’: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate,” Gareth said, reflecting on her lasting legacy.
In her final moments, Mel whispered a message for Maddie and Gareth that will sustain them forever—a gesture that summed up her selfless love and devotion to her family. Gareth also mentioned that he would cherish the memory of their life together, a life filled with love, resilience, and purpose.
As he looks forward to a new chapter in Bali, Gareth concluded, “Mel was not just a TV star, she was the center of our family, and her legacy will live on in our hearts forever.”
