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Hundreds at memorial for a Brisbane mum who loved to dance and laugh
By Cloe Read
Doreen Langham would get out of a car just to dance, with a “laugh that could be heard a football field away”.
That was how she was remembered on Friday, as loved ones gathered in Jimboomba, south of Brisbane, at a memorial service for the vivacious and caring Brisbane mother.
Doreen Langham and her daughter Tabitha at her wedding.
Ms Langham, 49, died when a fire ripped through her Browns Plains home on February 22.
The body of her former partner, Gary Hely, was also found burned in the townhouse, as police investigated links to domestic violence.
On Friday, before a congregation of hundreds, her family vowed to keep fighting for justice.
Her daughters Tabitha Bleys and Shayne Probert remembered their mother as a fun-loving, spirited woman, but also as someone who was there for everyone in her life.
Hundreds of people mourn Ms Langham at a memorial service in Jimboomba.Credit: Cloe Read
Ms Langham is survived by her daughters and several grandchildren. Ms Bleys said the “hardest thing” was to know her children would grow up without their grandma.
Tributes were read, describing Ms Langham as someone who had the ability to make a person feel like they were the most important in the world.
“Even though Mum’s life was cut tragically short, she lived a full one,” Ms Bleys said.
“Mum treated everyone equally and gave everyone a fair chance, no matter how they entered her life.
Daughters Shayne Probert (left) and Tabitha Bleys at the service for their late mother.Credit: Fairfax Media
“She made friends easily even though she was not as outgoing with strangers as she was with those she knew. And Mum loved hard.
“Mum was proud to be our mum and of the people we grew up to be. She was in awe of our family.”
Ms Probert, Ms Langham’s youngest daughter, said as a little girl she aspired to grow up and be a “mum just like you”.
“If I am half the mum you are, my girls will be so lucky,” Ms Probert said.
Before a congregation of hundreds, Ms Langham’s family vowed to keep fighting for justice.Credit: Cloe Read
“I do know you raised me to be strong, independent and fierce, and I will continue to be strong, independent and fierce, and I will continue to love and live.
“But most of all, I will continue to fight for the justice you deserve.”
Ms Langham had called for help the night before she was killed and had previously provided police officers with a dossier of information about her ex-partner.
She called triple-zero to tell police Mr Hely had breached a protection order, with the call assessed as “code three”, meaning a non-urgent job.
Police arrived at the home hours later, sparking outcry over the official response to victims of domestic violence.
Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski was subsequently tapped to spearhead an investigation into police conduct hours before Ms Langham’s death.
Queensland police must now respond to every domestic violence incident in person under a directive set by an internal taskforce led by Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd, initiated days later.
Police said Ms Langham was a victim of violence who needed to be protected, and they were not able to protect her.
About two months later, the burnt body of Gold Coast mother-of-three Kelly Wilkinson was found in the backyard of her home, her death allegedly at the hands of her estranged partner.
Police also said they had “ultimately failed” to protect her.