Tribute memorial tree planted for Lucinda McGrath near where she died at Caloundra beach
The family of a beach-loving Brisbane woman who was pulled unresponsive from Sunshine Coast waters hopes a touching tribute metres from where she died will help keep her memory alive as they await coronial findings.
Sunshine Coast
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Lucinda McGrath’s family already think of and miss her every day but they hope a newly completed memorial near where she died will help ensure she is remembered by all.
A year on from her tragic death at a Sunshine Coast beach, the free-spirited Brisbane woman has been honoured as her loved ones await the findings of a coroner’s report into her death.
A memorial tree has been planted at Happy Valley where Ms McGrath died near Bulcock Beach, Caloundra on Sunday, January 22, 2023, a day before her 28th birthday.
She had been in the coastal town with a work colleague to celebrate the milestone, when she was spotted unresponsive in the water and pulled ashore.
Lifesavers and paramedics tried to revive her, but she sadly died at the scene.
Following the tragic event, Sunshine Coast Council granted permission for a coastal banksia tree to be planted, named by the McGrath family as The Lucy Tree.
“Council issued a permit to the McGrath family to plant a memorial tree at Happy Valley in honour of Lucinda McGrath,” a Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said.
Lucinda’s mother Lynelle McGrath said she was grateful for the opportunity to remember her daughter in this way.
“We’ve been lucky enough to have this lovely tree planted in a beautiful spot,” Ms McGrath said.
“It’s a lovely place for people to visit and remember Lucy.
“She was always a beach girl, we will have many gatherings there, we just want to keep her memory alive.”
Almost a year on from her daughter’s passing, Ms McGrath said she was still struggling to come to terms with her loss.
“I still can’t believe it has happened, I can still hear her voice, I can’t really take it in,” she added.
“She should still be here, I cannot believe it at all.
“There’s never really times when I’m not thinking of her, I miss her every day.”
What makes finding closure even harder is that an official cause of death has still yet to be determined.
“I had to go and identify her the next day after her passing, which was her birthday, so that was all very hard,” she said.
“I’m still waiting for the final coroner’s findings, there is a total opinion that she definitely didn’t drown but had a medical episode, it will take time but they’re looking for other causes.
“We’ve just got to wait patiently with a death certificate that says cause of death yet to be determined.”
Ms McGrath said the family would mark the one-year anniversary, with a private gathering at the tree.
“The spot that we were given for the tree, we couldn’t have asked for a nicer place, honestly, it’s just perfect,” she said.
“I spread some ashes at the tree just before it was planted and now, I’m going to go back and put the rest of the ashes on the tree.
“I would just like people to continue to remember her, never stop talking about her, and always think of her when they come to Happy Valley.”
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