GoFundMe started for family of young teacher who died after giving birth to third child
Three young children are without their mum after the popular high school teacher died in the maternity ward a day after giving birth.
QLD News
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A fundraiser has been started for the family of a popular high school teacher who died suddenly a day after giving birth to her third child.
“On Monday 14th September parents Danielle Idai-Jawai and Aaron Tamwoy, happily welcomed their new baby boy at Townsville University Hospital,” Shiona Budby wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Sadly Tuesday afternoon, Danielle passed away suddenly and unexpectedly whilst in hospital with their new baby boy, Xy,”
Only days earlier, Mr Tamwoy, of Bamaga, had shared a photo on his Facebook page expressing his love for his partner and wishing her a happy birthday on September 8.
“Happy Birthday to my beautiful partner in this crazy journey we call life,” he wrote in the post.
“Thank you for all that you are to myself and the kids. We love you.”
Another family photo shows the proud parents with their six-year-old son, Marley, and four-year-old daughter, Isla, as they welcomed baby Xy.
The Courier Mail understands the Northern Peninsula Area State College teacher unexpectedly died from a cardiac arrest while in the maternity ward the night of September 15, during the last week of the school term.
Friends and family described the dance and physical education teacher, affectionally known as “Danga”, as having a heart of gold.
On the GoFundMe page, titled ‘Passing of Danielle Idai-Jawai’, Ms Budby wrote “For those who were blessed to know Danga, know she was full of life and had a heart of gold.”
“She loved and lived whole heartily (sic) for her beautiful little family, she would do anything she could for anyone in need. Life will not be the same without her.”
Lauren Watson, 29, originally from Bribie Island, said she and Ms Idai-Jawaui started off as teaching partners but became like family in a couple of years.
“She lived up here for most of her life … being away from home, she just took me in,” she said.
“Danga gave me a beautiful turtle painting and said ‘You’re not my teaching partner anymore you’re my sister.’ That conversation just keeps playing in my head.”
Ms Watson said Ms Idai-Jawaui and Mr Tamwoy were both basketball “fanatics.”
“That’s one of the things Danga got me into. I can’t play basketball, I’m horrendous at it,” she said.
“She was good like that. She wanted to get everyone involved.”
The fellow PE teacher said the only thing Ms Idai-Jawaui loved more was being a mum.
“Her kids were her life. That’s what made the world go around for her,” Ms Watson said.
“She’d do anything for Marley, Isla and would have done the same for baby Xy. She was so excited to have another little one.
“When I think of having kids, she’s the mum I would want to be like.”
Leanne Fox, principal of the college, said Ms Idai-Jawaui’s passing had left a hole in the hearts of staff members.
“She was (also) the ultimate role model for students – especially for young Indigenous girls,” she said.
Mr Tamwoy is also well-known in the community through both his role as a basketball coach and his work with Northern Peninsula Area Family and Community Services.
Any money raised via GoFundMe page will go towards funeral expenses and helping Mr Tamwoy raise three young children, Ms Budby wrote.
Almost $40,000 has been raised for the Cape York family, out of a goal of $50,000, through the online fundraiser since September 20.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Kieran Keyes, said the unexpected death of a patient at the hospital had been referred to the state coroner.
“This is a very tragic situation for all involved and our deepest sympathies are with the family,” he said.
“We’ve been working closely with the family to ensure they are supported and given the facts and circumstances about what occurred.”
