‘So loved’: Sudden death of Geelong mum Tara Baskin, 38, shocks family, friends

An adored Geelong mum has tragically died, leaving behind six children and devastating her shocked family and friends.

Tara Baskin died in her sleep on April 29, leaving behind six children. Photo: Supplied.

An Geelong mum has died in her sleep, leaving behind six children and devastating her family and friends.

Tara Baskin, 38, went to bed at her Winchlesea home on Tuesday and never woke up, with a coroner still investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

The much-loved single mum was found by her eldest son, 21, who is now expected to care for his five siblings aged 2, 4, 7, 16 and 19.

Ms Baskin’s best friend, Samantha Graham, said the sudden loss on April 29 had been hard to process.

“She was loved by so many and we are all completely shocked and devastated,” she said.

“Everyone is trying to come to grips with what has happened.”

Ms Baskin’s body is still with the coroner, making it difficult to arrange funeral plans.

The young mum was born-and-raised in Geelong and was a billiards team member at the Slate Pool Lounge and played every Wednesday.

Tara Baskin (bottom right) with friends Mika, Channie and Samantha. Photo: Supplied.

“She was the best mother, I was always in awe of her parenting,” Ms Graham said.

“She just got s*** done with a smile on her face.

“And as a friend, she was always there for me...whenever we needed her she was there.

“Everybody loved her.”

Ms Graham said ensuring enough financial support for her children in the short term would be important.

An online fundraiser has been launched with an initial target of $22,000.

It has already raised more than $12,000.

“It’s pretty tragic, her two eldest children have gone from being kids to parents overnight,” she said.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/tara-baskin

Originally published as ‘So loved’: Sudden death of Geelong mum Tara Baskin, 38, shocks family, friends