Chinchilla mother lost to suicide remembered as a ‘beautiful, free spirited’

A Queensland town is mourning the tragic loss of a single mum of two toddlers aged three and four. Desperate efforts are now being taken to raise money for a grandparent who will care for them. Here’s how you can help.

A fundraiser has been started for Chinchilla woman Wanda-Jade DeGuara after her tragic death.

The Chinchilla community has thrown their support behind a GoFundMe for Wanda-Jade DeGuara who tragically lost her life to suicide.

The GoFundMe which is raising money for her funeral and future costs of raising her two children has so far raised more than $3000.

Wanda was a part of the Chinchilla community and had worked for the Club Hotel and Commercial Hotel, moving on to work at Illoura before heading back to Ipswich with her young children.

She loved cooking meals with her children and teaching them the importance of healthy eating using ingredients from her own vegetable gardens.

The Chinchilla community are fundraising for Wanda's family

Creator of the fundraiser and close friend of Wanda’s Tiarna Young said she would remember her friend as a “beautiful free-spirited hilarious lady that would light up the room with her smile and laughter”.

“She loved and cherished her family and friends and was the sweetest, kindest person you could ever meet,” she said.

“She was the type of person who could cheer you up on your darkest day, she also had a wickedly funny sense of humour and her laugh was contagious.

“Wanda fought a hard fight with depression, PTSD and mental health, ultimately the depression held her tighter than her family could.

“Her children were her world and she loved spending all her spare time playing and doting on them and they adored her.

“Wanda will always be in our hearts forever, we will never forget that beautiful smile. Fly high beautiful.”

Ms Young said it was heartening to see the community rally behind Wanda’s loved ones.

“The news of Wanda’s passing has rocked the community as well as all past colleagues, friends and family,” she said.

“The GoFundMe that I have set up on behalf of Wanda’s family will be an extreme help for the future. Wanda was a single mum and left behind two beautiful children aged four and three who are now being raised by their grandmother Karen with the help from the family.

“My hope is that we can all rally together as a community to help in anyway we can, the donations will go towards helping Karen with the day-to-day cost of raising Wanda’s children and their future.”

Donations can be made at Go Fund Me.