Jess Gambaro, a cherished mother of four and long-time Paddington resident, has passed away at 46 after a courageous battle with oesophageal cancer, leaving her family and local community heartbroken.
A Community in Grief
Jess, wife of restaurateur Donny Gambaro, died on 23 December, just two days before Christmas. Diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer in August 2023, her condition came as a shock, as she initially sought medical care for what she thought was pneumonia.
Despite her illness, she remained active in both her family life and the community, displaying immense resilience throughout her treatment.
Her husband reflected on her determination to beat the disease, recounting how, even a year ago, she was body surfing at Coolangatta during Christmas. He described her as a calming presence with a radiant smile that brought warmth to every room she entered. Friends and neighbours in Paddington remember her as an inspiring figure who balanced her family commitments with professional contributions to the Gambaro Group’s restaurants.
Family and Business Legacy
Jess leaves behind her husband and their children: Don, 16; Zara, 12; Massimo, 9; and Nico, 7. She is also survived by her parents, Lloyd and Joan Bennett, and siblings Zoe, Rhys, and Philippa.
The Gambaro couple, who met as students at QUT, married in 2007 at St Brigid’s Church in Red Hill, where her funeral will be held on 3 January.
Jess played a pivotal role in the Gambaro Group, a family-owned hospitality business that started with a fish and chip shop on Caxton Street in 1953. The business has grown into a prominent restaurant empire in Brisbane, with venues such as Black Hide Steak & Seafood, Persone Italian, and Pipi’s Restaurant at Coolangatta.
Up until the last few months of her life, she was actively building websites for the family’s enterprises, combining her marketing and IT expertise to support their operations.
Raising Awareness About Oesophageal Cancer
Jess’s diagnosis brought attention to oesophageal cancer, a rare condition affecting around 1,700 Australians annually, predominantly older men. The disease often develops without noticeable symptoms, making early detection difficult. In Jess’s case, her diagnosis was especially surprising as she was a non-smoker and did not consume alcohol, both of which are common risk factors.
Despite extensive treatments, including radiation, multiple chemotherapy regimens, and a trial drug, the cancer ultimately spread to other areas of her body. Her family expressed gratitude for the medical teams who supported Jess during her fight and hope that increased awareness of this illness can help others in the future.
Final Farewell
The Gambaro family has invited friends, neighbours, and community members to join them in celebrating Jess’s life at her funeral at St Brigid’s Church. The same church that marked the beginning of her married life will now host a farewell for a woman remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, and vital part of the Paddington community.
Published 26-Dec-2024