ALL Malinda Francis ever wanted was to be a mother but sadly now her sister is the one left raising her two young daughters, Bella and Marley.
Ms Francis was 36 when she died in a car crash on the Lincoln Highway north of Cowell in October last year.
Her sister Suzanne Scanlon said it took her a week to tell the girls their mum had died and it was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life.
But despite the pain, she makes a big effort to ensure their mum is still a big part of their lives.
“Every day we talk about her and every night they go out and pick a star for her.
“She was this loving, caring person.
“My sister would do everything for anyone, that was the sort of person she was and I hope it comes out in her girls.
“I want her to shine out of those two girls.”
Anyone that knew my sister knew what a beautiful person she was.
- Suzanne Scanlon
Ms Scanlon said her sister had been so excited about milestones like her daughters starting school and as their carer now she was trying to keep her sister’s dreams for her children alive.
She said Marley and Bella were close to their mum and they still had a long road ahead of them.
Ms Scanlon said it was sad someone with such a big heart and so much to give to the world was gone.
“Anyone that knew my sister knew what a beautiful person she was.
“Everyone would agree how kind natured she was.”
After the crash, Ms Scanlon moved from Port Lincoln to Ceduna because she found it too hard to stay in Port Lincoln where there were so many memories of her sister.
In the past year, she said she had found it hard to be happy because she felt it was unfair her sister was not there to be with them.
“Even a year on I’m still suffering.
“I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through what I’ve just gone through.”
To mark the first anniversary last month, the family made a boat, wrote messages and drew pictures to put inside it and set the candlelit vessel afloat at sea, starting a tradition they hope will continue.
“Every year, it doesn’t matter where we are, we’ll come together as one on the day and do it with the girls.”
Port Lincoln man William Ferguson was found guilty earlier this month of causing Ms Francis’s death by dangerous driving.
He is expected to be sentenced in January.
