Grieving daughter’s touching tribute to Ingham flood victim Jessie Billy
The last words Ingham flood victim Jessie Billy spoke to her daughter before boarding a rescue boat were filled with love and reassurance. “I’ll call you when I get there safely.” But that call never came.
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The last words Jessie Billy spoke to her daughter before boarding a rescue boat were filled with love and reassurance.
“I’ll call you when I get there safely.”
But that call never came.
The 63-year-old mother and devoted community member tragically lost her life when a State Emergency Service (SES) rescue boat struck a tree and capsized in Ingham floodwaters on Sunday, February 2.
Her only daughter, Littiah Billy, is now left with only memories and heartbreak.
On the morning of the tragedy, Jessie had phoned Littiah, letting her know she was being evacuated around 9am.
“She’s a dialysis patient, so she had to get out to get treatment,” Littiah said.
The SES had come to ferry her to safety.
“I could only worry from afar, as I live in the Northern Territory for work,” she said.
“We talked on the phone while she waited, and when they arrived, her last words to me were, ‘I’ll call you when I get there safely.’ But I never got that call back.”
Instead, Littiah woke up hours later to a phone flooded with messages.
“I drifted asleep by accident as I was waiting for her to call me back and when I woke up at 11am my phone was blowing up with messages from my family member who had been there when they were trying to resuscitate her. I was in utter shock,” she said.
“At any age, nothing can prepare you for the grief of losing a parent.
“I am only 27, and all I can think is that my mum will never see her first grandchild or watch me get married. I will never be able to share those stolen moments with her.”
She described her mum as a woman who lived to serve others.
Born and raised in Townsville, she had recently returned to Ingham to be closer to family.
“For those who knew my mother, she was a sweet and gentle soul. She had the biggest heart and devoted her life to serving the Lord,” Littiah said.
Jessie was deeply involved in the Power of the Spirit Church and the Gospel Lighthouse in Townsville.
Littiah’s focus now is on bringing her mother home to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, where she will be laid to rest.
But the cost of returning Jessie home is a heartbreaking obstacle.
“I’ve been told it will cost around $18,000 to $20,000 just for the flight,” Littiah said.
“That doesn’t even include her funeral.”
She is determined to honour her mother’s legacy with the same love and care Jessie showed others, planning a funeral around April to give her the farewell she deserves.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help raise the funds needed to bring Jessie home.
If you would like to help, you can donate directly to the following account:
Account Name: Littiah R Billy
BSB: 014111
Account Number: 666005094
PayID: littiah.billy97@gmail.com
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Originally published as Grieving daughter’s touching tribute to Ingham flood victim Jessie Billy
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