Grieving family pays tribute to playwright Felicity ‘Fliss’ Morton killed in crash

A Brisbane family has been left shattered after losing their 21-year-old “ray of sunshine” in a car crash near Gladstone as she travelled home from her grandmother’s funeral.

Felicity ‘Fliss’ Morton. Picture: Facebook/Fliss Morton

A 21-year-old Brisbane playwright with the world at her feet was travelling home from her grandmother’s funeral when she was tragically killed in a crash at Benaraby, near Gladstone, yesterday afternoon.

It came shortly after another crash at the same location, along the Bruce Hwy, claimed the life of a man in his 30s about 1pm on Wednesday, December 14.

Felicity ‘Fliss’ Morton of Red Hill was a passenger in the car involved in the second incident and sadly died at the scene.

The young artist was returning to Brisbane with family, including her brother Liam, her cousin, and her cousin’s partner, after attending her grandmother’s funeral in Rockhampton the previous day.

Ms Morton was the fourth of five children who together formed a “very, very close unit”. She leaves behind her brother Liam, 26, Julia, 24, Ana, 23, and Tor, 20.

“The group of them are in contact every day,” Ms Morton’s mother, Rosemary, said.

“The kids are always checking in with each other.”

Felicity 'Fliss' Morton, 21, of Red Hill tragically passed away in a car crash near Gladstone on Wednesday, December 14 after attending her grandmother's funeral. Picture: Supplied

The All Hallows’ School graduate completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in drama, at the Queensland University of Technology this year and had recently been accepted to complete a Master’s degree at Goldsmiths, University of London.

She was expected to start the course in September next year.

Ms Morton is remembered by family as the “sweetest girl” who had a “heart of gold” and “gave the best hugs”.

“Felicity was always the peacemaker,” Rosemary said.

“She was a little ray of sunshine for everyone.

“Her name means happiness, and she had a special quality of bringing happiness and laughter wherever she went.”

Ms Morton’s father Euan said his daughter was warm and empathetic – someone who loved people, and was loved in return.

“All she cared about was people,” he said.

“She lit up a room.”

Fliss Morton. Picture: Facebook/Fliss Morton

Ms Morton launched feminist theatre collective, T!TS AKIMBO, with friend Kian Dillon in March this year, under which she worked as playwright, director and producer.

Her works included The Politics of Vodka Lime Soda, which sold out and was showcased at Blutes in the Fortitude Valley this year, and The Only Kind of Soulmate which premiered back in 2021.

She also worked on a festival in Brisbane this year, under T!TS AKIMBO, which was intended to demonstrate how every person, no matter their gender identification or sexuality, deserves respect – a cause she was passionate about.

Police investigations are continuing.