WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned the following article contains names and images of a deceased person.
The daughter of a 63-year-old woman who died during the floods in North Queensland has paid tribute to her, saying she had a “massive heart”.
Jessie Billy died when the SES boat she was on capsized in Ingham on February 2, during the height of the flood emergency.
Five others on the boat, including members of her extended family, were saved.
Her only daughter, Littiah Billy, last spoke to her mother when she called to say she was being rescued.
“And whilst they were arriving, I was just trying to make sure she had everything and basically, I had the expectation I would be talking to her in like another hour or so,” Littiah told 9News.
Instead, Littiah got a call letting her know her mother had died.
”As soon as I answered the first call it was just someone on the other side saying, ‘I’m so sorry’,” she said.
Littiah said her mother was “someone with a massive heart”.
“Warm, caring. She’ll give even if she has little to nothing and she made everyone feel safe,” she said.
“She was a very strong Christian. If she was here she would tell me she’s in a better place.”
Littiah is organising for her mother’s body to be transported to Thursday Island to have her buried with her parents.
“All I can do in my power now is give her a beautiful send-off,” she said.
Police are investigating and preparing a report for the coroner.
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
