Scott Snodgrass’ widow Roisin (Rosie) Maitland dies suddenly, sparking fundraising campaign for children

After losing their father in a sickening kerbside fight, four children have been left orphaned after the sudden death of their mother.

Rosie Maitland

After losing their father in a sickening kerbside fight in 2013, four Coffs Harbour children have now been left orphaned after the sudden death of their mother.

Roisin Maitland died suddenly at her home in Korora just north of Coffs Harbour on Thursday.

Best friend Jodie Powick says it appears to have been a medical episode but an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

“She was my best friend and I’m just lost without her,” Ms Powick, who owns Glenreagh General Store and is also a nurse at Coffs Harbour hospital, said.

“I have no words for how much I already miss her and I no longer have ‘my person’. But I’m just so worried about the kids.”

Rosie Maitland with her children Josie, Archie, Sarah and Eve.

She first met Roisin (known as Rosie) when they were at university together in Armidale.

It was Jodie who introduced Rosie to Scott Snodgrass and they hit it off immediately.

They had three daughters and one son Archie.

He was just two years old when his father Scott, who was 34 at the time, was punched and knocked to the ground at a taxi rank in the CBD in May 2013 after he had been drinking at The Coast Hotel.

Roisin Maitland pictured in August 2013 after hearing the news that five people received organs harvested from her late husband and appealing for information about them. From left to right were Josephine, Archie, Roisin, Sarah and Eve. Picture: Frank Redward.

The 21-year-old who hit Scott told police he acted in self defence and was not charged.

The Coroner ruled Mr Snodgrass’ death was caused by severe head injuries which were suffered when his head hit the concrete footpath after he was struck to the face by a single punch.

Rushed to hospital he was later flown to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, but never regained consciousness and died two days later.

In 2015 The Coast Hotel was convicted and fined for allowing his intoxication.

In 2014 an inquest into the death of Scott Snodgrass ruled charges would not be laid over the fight that claimed his life. Picture: Trevor Veale

Jodie says Rosie was “shattered but never gave up” raising their four children on her own.

“She fought through unimaginable pain just to keep going for them,” Jodie said.

“I do truly believe that she died of a broken heart.”

Scott Snodgrass with Rosie and their children. Picture: supplied by family.

She says Rosie is gone and nothing can change that, but what she can do, is try and help her orphaned children.

“The world feels so much sadder, lonelier, smaller and dimmer without her.

“I can’t change that, but what I can do is try to ease the stress of where these kids will find the money they need to keep going, even when everything in them just wants to stop.”

She has established a GoFundMe campaign which has raised over $30,000.

“They need a miracle - they need to know they are not alone in this cruel and unforgiving world.”

They are holding up the best they know how, no doubt inspired by the strength of their late mother, Jodie says.

“There is a lot of shock - we are all kind of cry/laughing or laugh/crying - so many emotions all at once, it’s just s**t.”

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