Murrumba Downs crash victim’s family pay tribute

The family of a woman who died in a horrific alleged stolen car crash in Moreton Bay believe she would be praying for the young boy allegedly responsible.

Jean-Paul and Rosemary Franzidis.

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The husband and daughter of a woman who died in a horrific alleged stolen car crash have said despite the tragic circumstances, she would be praying for the young boy allegedly responsible for her death.

Rosemary Franzidis, 69, was killed last Thursday when an allegedly stolen Audi driven by a 16-year-old boy ploughed into her sedan while she was driving home from church at Murrumba Downs north of Brisbane.

The Caboolture boy was charged with manslaughter, armed robbery and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

But as the community expressed its sadness and anger over the incident, widower Jean-Paul Franzidis said his wife would not be angry and rather praying for the young boy.

“I do believe that she’s praying for this young man and for many others, that they just be become aware of this way of life and just think this is not the way to live,” Mr Franzidis said.

“She’s just a very kind, generous, warm-hearted person who basically made an impression on everybody she met.”

Rosemary Franzidis. - Photo Supplied

Her middle daughter Alexia Franzidis, who was visiting from the US, said the morning of the accident was like any other.

Ms Franzidis had had breakfast before attending church.

Then tragedy struck just one traffic light away from her home.

“We were actually planning a three-day family trip down the Gold Coast before I flew back to the States … and the last thing she said to me was, OK, I promise to be back by 9.45am, with the idea that we would get in the car and head to the coast,” Ms Franzidis said.

“The thing is we’re going to see that intersection every day.

“She was so close to home, if it had been five seconds before or after we wouldn’t be having this conversation now.”

Rosemary and Jean-Paul Franzidis.

Having moved from South Africa 30 years ago, Mr Franzidis said it was not the same Australia as when they arrived, where you could walk the streets and feel safe.

“Something has definitely gone very wrong, and it needs to be addressed at the source,” he said.

“It’s just very sad that it had to happen in this way, and obviously there are going to be many repercussions in the future, court cases … that are going to just bring it all up again over the next few years.”

The Franzidis family said in the four days since the accident they had seen an outpouring of support from family, friends as well as strangers.

They hoped Ms Franzidis’ death would spur action to prevent similar tragedies from happening.

“My mum always did things because she just had so much love in her heart; I don’t think she ever realised the impact that she had on people,” Alexia Franzidis said.

“So I think she would be blown away by everything that’s happening.”