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Touching moment woman marries her 'best friend' day before he dies

A newlywed has paid a touching tribute to her late husband who passed away a day after their wedding following a nine-month battle with cancer.

Gold Coast-based Maria Falwasser mourned the loss of her partner Navar Herbert after the 22-year-old died on Tuesday after contracting a brain tumour last year.

Creating a GoFundMe page to help have Mr Herbert flown back to his native New Zealand at his request, Ms Falwasser wrote she had lost her best friend and father to her young son, Kyrie.

“Today my heart is heavy and sad, I lost my best friend, husband and the father to our son,” she wrote.

Gold Coast couple Maia Falwasser and Navar Herbert pictured together.
Maia Falwasser and Navar Herbert. Source: Facebook/ Maia Falwasser
Navar Herbert and Maia Falwasser hold hands during the wedding ceremony.
The pair were wed in a backyard ceremony. Source: YouTube

“I feel absolutely showered in love by friends and family. This is a hard time, however I do find my strength and refuge in everybody's support.”

Mr Herbert, a respected rugby player for Nerang Bulls, wed his 20-year-old partner on Monday in a small backyard ceremony with friends and family.

Ms Falwasser shared emotional footage of the ceremony to the GoFundMe page.

With many, including the couple, holding back tears throughout, a wheelchair-bound Mr Herbert exchanges vows with Ms Falwasser before a group of men perform the haka.

The Gold Coast couple pose with guests at the wedding a day before his death.
The couple pose with guests. Source: YouTube
A group of men perform a haka at the wedding in Queensland.
A group of men perform a haka at the wedding. Source: YouTube

“He has impacted so many people near and far, and he will always be in our memories and have a special place in our hearts,” Ms Falwasser added.

Mr Herbert’s rugby club held a memorial service for the talented player on Friday where dozens gathered to celebrate his life and raise funds for his burial in New Zealand.

“Nerang Bulls Rugby Union Club Committee would like to send all our love to our own Herbert Family on the sad news this morning that Navar has grown his wings over night,” the club wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

The GoFundMe has so far raised more than $80,000.

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