Bruce Highway fatal car crash: Tributes to 59-year-old Kuranda woman Jackie Faulkner

The family of a devoted and spiritual Kuranda woman is shattered after she died in a car crash enroute to support her pregnant daughter. Read the heartbreaking tributes

THE devastated family of a woman killed in a car crash on her way to visit her pregnant daughter in Townsville has spoken of a devoted mum who had a spiritual faith, loved painting and the beach.

Kuranda woman Jackie Faulkner, 59, was killed in a crash on the Bruce Hwy north of Cardwell on Wednesday.

Her daughter Cheyarni Pike, of Townsville, said her mum had recently found out she was pregnant and was travelling south to visit her.

“I reached out to my mum for support because I’m so nervous about it,” she said.

“Mum was going to help me raise my child and teach me everything.

“She was going to teach me to be a mum as good as she was and now I have to do everything without her.

“My heart is filled with pain, longing for my mum to arrive and be here with me.”

Ms Pike said she was on her way to help her as she had been sick but she had told her mum not to worry.

“She was like ‘no I want to come and look after you, I just want to be there for you’, so she insisted on coming.”

“My mum was always my biggest support, she would go above and beyond always to nurture and care - she was a shining light.”

Her love was shown in many birthday cards over the years where she created her own artwork.

“Love you as big as the universe, beautiful, so proud of all you do and all you are,” Ms Faulkner wrote in one of the cards.

“If you want to be original be your beautiful self cause there is only one you.”

A birthday card sent from Jackie Faulkner to her daughter Cheyarni on her 29th birthday with her own artwork. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Faulkner became a professional counsellor working at Centacare in Townsville for many years. She moved to Kuranda a couple years ago.

Her eldest daughter Shaadi Woodman said her mum was already a teacher but while she was raising three daughters on her own she decided to study psychology.

“She really dedicated her life to the service of others, she was a very spiritual woman, she gave her all to make everyone happy,” she said.

“She always donated her time to service.

“She was a really good mum and taught us all virtues growing up and to treat others very well.”

Ms Woodman said she loved painting birds and beaches.

“In her later years she reconnected with art, she was a big artist, she was always involved in Townsville Cultural Festival,” she said.

Ms Faulkner’s partner of 24 years, Colin Faulkner, of Kuranda, said she was a beautiful mother to her children.

“I think its important to say she was the most supportive parent, she was so supportive to her children and that support she’s given them and that example, I now see that developing in the children,” he said.

“I see that growing in who they are and she lives on through the children.”

Mr Faulkner said she had a strong spiritual faith.

“We had a beautiful relationship, we ended in a beautiful space of caring, loving, acceptance and connection.”

“We will always hold one another in our hearts and care for each other.

“She was always a channel of wisdom for me, a guide for my spirit and a helper for all levels. I am grateful for the time we spent together.”

The sudden death has been difficult for the family but they were reassured by Cardwell woman Chaise Boon who held their mother’s hand at the scene of the accident.

“I contacted her and I’ve been thanking her and speaking with her. It’s such a blessing to know (mum) was not alone and she also has a granddaughter Chaise,” Ms Pike said.

“I told her she’s like an angel for us and she was there and she could tell us she looked peaceful.”

“I feel like that road, there should not be turns from that road where a truck or any car has to stop in the middle of a highway.

“There should be turning lanes so cars could avoid this.”

Ms Woodman said the actions of Ms Boon meant a lot to her.

“She’s already welcomed into the family,” she said.

Originally published as Bruce Highway fatal car crash: Tributes to 59-year-old Kuranda woman Jackie Faulkner