Whitsundays community launches GoFundMe for Mary Joy Estrada De La Cruz’s husband, family

Three generations of life were taken in a moment when a well-loved Qld woman was killed in a car crash alongside her mother. She was taking her visiting parents to see the home she was building with her husband. TRIBUTE

Mary Joy Estrada De La Cruz (left) was killed in a car crash alongside her mother. She was taking her parents (right) to see the home she was building with her husband, Edgar De La Cruz Jr, who remains in hospital. Picture: Facebook

A kind-hearted mother carrying her first child when she had her life taken in a fatal crash was known for cooking for and checking in on her elderly neighbours.

The five-months pregnant Mary Joy Estrada De La Cruz and her husband Edgar De La Cruz Jr were living on Spalla St in Proserpine and building a new house in Cannonvale.

Mary’s parents were visiting from the Philippines and it is understood that the four were on their way to see the work in progress home when they struck a Toyota LandCruiser.

Mary and her mother, Marvic Estrada, lost their lives in the crash leaving her husband Edgar and his father-in-law fighting for life.

Mary Joy Estrada De La Cruz. Picture: Facebook

Dale Mengel first met the couple when he visiting his mother, their neighbour with whom they shared a close relationship.

“They were very lovely people,” Mr Mengel said.

“They were always dropping cooking over for mum and would check in on another neighbour, also elderly.”

They were speaking with Mary three days before the accident when she shared the news — she was pregnant.

“They were very excited about having a baby come along,” Mr Mengel said.

“They weren’t telling a lot of people because she was 35 and that was a high risk pregnancy.”

Mrs Mengel would often look in on the couple’s dog due to Mary working late shifts at the Airlie Beach Woolworths and Edgar’s DIDO job at a Bowen Basin mine.

Mary and Edgar would drop in on Dale's mother, bringing food and keeping her company. Photo: Facebook

Since the crash the Whitsundays community has rallied around the shattered family, with a GoFundMe raising more than $15,000 to help pay medical bills and funeral expenses less than 48 hours after the crash.

Organiser Maria Cos wrote that the Estradas had visited their daughter and son-in-law on holiday, hoping to make cherished memories, before tragedy struck.

“Now they are faced with unimaginable grief and the burden of unexpected expenses during this incredibly difficult time,” Ms Coss wrote.

The GoFundMe has drawn the support of Mary Joy’s extended family with her cousin Dee Estrada sharing it to her Facebook.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news that my dear cousin, Mary Joy “pangging”, and her mother “Auntie Bebe” tragically lost their lives in a car accident yesterday in Queensland, Australia,” Ms Estrada wrote.

“Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to us and help ease the burden on our family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Mr Mengel extended his deepest sympathies to Edgar, who suffered serious injuries.

“It’s a small community in Proserpine,” Mr Mengel said.

“We’re all here to support you, anything you need we’re just a phone call away.

“I don’t want Edgar to think he’ll have to travel with this alone.”

Whitsundays mayor Ry Collins. Picture: Fiona Kroll

Whitsundays mayor Ry Collins applauded the community’s support of the family following the incident.

“Hopefully this can ease the pressure that they must be experiencing,” Mr Collins said.

“We’ve had far too many accidents on our regional roads recently.

“On behalf of the regional council we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and those involved.”

Support has also come out across Facebook, with many Whitsundays residents sharing the GoFundMe link to their personal pages and community groups.

“Mary was a wonderful caring lady who always wanted to become a mother,” Ivy McAulay wrote.

“Such a horrible tragedy.

“May you, your baby and mum rest in peace Mary.”

Danielle Flood commented that the incident was an unbelievable tragedy as commenter Linda Norman commented on what a beautiful family they had been.

“So sad to read of the loss of beautiful Mary,” Ms Norman wrote.

More to come.