Kuraby pedestrian Maria Gomez remembered as ‘an institution to many’

A teacher’s aide tragically killed on her birthday while on her Sunday morning walk is being remembered as an “institution” who was “on the cusp of a new lease of life”.

Maria Gomez died on Sunday when she was struck by a car on her morning walk.

A grandmother tragically killed while on her Sunday morning walk in Kuraby is being remembered as an “institution” who was “on the cusp of a new lease of life”.

Maria Teresa Gomez, affectionately known as “nana” was killed by a passing car while walking along Beenleigh Rd at 7.45am on Sunday, the same day as her birthday.

Son-in-law Ben Griffin said the 72-year-old had survived earthquakes, civil wars and cancer before her “sudden” death.

Mr Griffin said Mrs Gomez’s four children and six grandchildren were “shocked” by the sudden death of a woman who to everyone appeared immortal.

Maria Gomez died on her 72nd birthday and a month before she planned to retire.

“She often said to us that when it comes to a family crisis, nothing was ever going to take her out of the picture - it would have to be something big, sudden and out of the ordinary,” he said.

“I think everyone has just reflected on the fact that it has actually how it happened.”

Mrs Gomez was born in Chinameca, El Salavdor, but had migrated to Australia with her late husband and children in 1988 during the civil war.

She had worked at Milpera State High School as a teacher’s aide in the library since 1992 but had planned to retire next month to spend more time with her children and grandchildren.

“She has been an institution for many people – my family included,” Mr Griffin said.

Maria Gomez with her beloved grandchildren. Son-in-law Ben Griffin said family was everything to the 72-year-old.

He said Mrs Gomez had also planned to return home to El Salvador next year, having spent the last two years caring for her late husband.

“It has been a difficult couple of years for the family but Mrs Gomez was right on the cusp of having another lease of life,” Mr Griffin said.

Mr Griffin said the family had planned to celebrate Mrs Gomez’s 72nd birthday at the Manly Boathouse on Sunday afternoon when police arrived on their doorstep.

Police at the scene of the Beenleigh Road crash at Kuraby. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Everyone is sleeping at our place at the moment, pulling together in the same way as when Mr Gomez passed away but I guess we are all shocked at the way it occurred and the fact Mrs Gomez is no longer here to lead grace at the dinner table,” he said.

“She was very old school - family was her everything.”

Mr Griffin said Mrs Gomez, a “fierce competitor” who was “young at heart” had played basketball at a national level in El Salvador but that in recent times she would lead family competitions.

The woman driving the vehicle that struck Mrs Gomez, Carmel Maree Magutau, has since been charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving while intoxicated and refusal to provide a breath and saliva test to police.

Ms Magutau was granted bail on Monday at the Brisbane Arrest Court, with Magistrate Judith Daley noting her lack of criminal history.