Cecilia Namugeyo of Marsden was fatally hit by a car walking to church

“She was there for us”: A religious leader who was just metres away from a parishioner when she was struck and killed by a car on her walk to church has revealed the chaotic moments that ensued.

“She was there for us, she was there for everyone in the community”: A mother, grandmother and pillar of her community is being mourned after she was struck down by a car on her every day walk to her church to pray.

A devoted mother, grandmother and beloved member of her church has been remembered for her dedication and kind heart after she was tragically killed on her walk to church over the Easter weekend.

Marsden woman Cecilia Namugeyo, 66, was killed on Thursday, April 6, after she was struck by a car while walking with her husband across Third Ave on their way to mass at St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Parish in Marsden.

Choir Master and leader of the African community at the church, Bezo Karhanu, was driving just three cars behind the tragedy when it unfolded.

“When the accident happened I was there, but I didn’t see her properly because there were three cars in front of me,” Mr Karhanu said.

“I tried to look at the accident, but I didn't see her there, I didn’t know it was her.

“I was just rushing to church because I was late as well.

“I just drove past and after church I heard that it was her and that she was on the road with her husband and they just tried to cross the road to go to church.

“I was told the driver stopped and was the one who called the police, the ambulance and the one that was trying to do CPR.”

Cecilia Namugeyo passed away on Thursday, April 6, after she was struck by a car.

Mr Karhanu said Ms Namugeyo and her husband, Matthew Mbonabuca, were on their way to mass to celebrate Holy Thursday.

“She walked to church every day,” Mr Karhanu said.

“It was Thursday, because on Thursday we celebrate the supper of Jesus.

“She was on the way just to go to church.”

He said Ms Namugeyo was the heart of the church.

“She was like the mother of our community,” Mr Karhanu said.

“She would pray the rosary every single time she came to church, she came to church every single day — Monday to Sunday.

“She was a nice person, she was a mother, a grandmother, I think of eight grandchildren.

“She was there for us, she was there for everyone in the community.”

A place for mourning has been provided for family and friends of Ms Namugeyo until a funeral is held.

Ms Namugeyo’s son, Desire Ntahiraja, said she was a mother figure to all in the Marsden community.

“Cecilia was a dedicated mother with undivided care to all of her children,” Mr Ntahiraja said.

“She was well-known as the mother of all in the community.

“Cecilia tirelessly took the mother figure position for all who did not have their own mothers in the local community and elsewhere in Australia.

“She is credited with hundreds of dowries acceptance on behalf of many with equal number of marriage handovers.

“She stood tall for the good in the midst of challenges around her.

“She is leaving behind 27 biological grandchildren and several hundreds of children who proudly called her grandma within the community.

“Cecilia’s deeds are indeed the good memories that will never fade in the minds of generation.”

Ms Namugeyo’s family have announced there will be a place for mourning at 1 Beano St in Marsden until a funeral can be held.

Police are continuing their investigation into Ms Namugeyo’s death and have spoken with the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 42-year-old Kingston man.

No charges have been laid.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, is urged to contact police.