Myra Hashemi, killed in Riverland crash, remembered as dedicated parent who battled chronic disease

A mother killed in a Riverland crash has been remembered as a dedicated parent who battled a chronic auto-immune disease to cherish life with her family.

A mother killed in a Riverland crash has been remembered as a dedicated parent who battled a chronic auto-immune disease to cherish life with her family.

Myra Hashemi refused to let lupus – a malfunctioning immune system disorder – stop her from watching her two children grow up.

Instead, the 45-year-old showed “fighting spirit” and always could be found supporting her son and daughter at sports competitions, or training sessions, when she was not volunteering at Cadell Primary School.

But Mrs Hashemi’s life was cut tragically short as she drove her children to a friend’s house for dinner at Barmera.

Her car and a B-double truck crashed at the intersection of Sturt Highway and Old Sturt Highway just before 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Myra Hashemi, who died in a crash at Barmera on Tuesday night, with her two children. Picture: Facebook

Mrs Hashemi’s 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter are continuing to recover from minor injuries at Riverland General Hospital in Berri, with their father, Sayed Hashemi, maintaining a bedside vigil.

The truck driver was not injured in the crash.

Friend Amor Villanueva told The Advertiser Mrs Hashemi was “a very strong person”.

“She’d been having this battle with lupus for years but this (crash) happened and it wasn’t the lupus that took her,” Ms Villanueva said.

“She had fighting spirit”.

Ms Villanueva said her friend always stopped in for dinner on the way home to Cadell after swimming training at Renmark.

“She was bringing the children home and she would always call in but she didn’t make it,” Ms Villanueva said.

“She loves her kids so much and she would go anywhere for them.”

Born in the Philippines, Mrs Hashemi moved to Australia about 12 years ago with her husband and quickly settled into country life.

Myra Hashemi with her husband Sayed Hashemi and their two children. Picture: Facebook

She enjoyed parties, taking selfies, and was well-known for her understanding nature.

This year, she was part of Cadell Primary School’s governing council and read to students during Book Week.

Acting principal Susan Santella said Mrs Hashemi was a dedicated volunteer.

“The Cadell Primary School community is devastated with the loss of one of our parents to a road incident,” she said.

“We are a small, tight-knit community and will support each other and the family involved through this incredibly tough time.”

Mrs Hashemi’s family and friends in the Philippines were inconsolable when told of the news on Wednesday.