Gippsland community mourn loss of adventurous Traralgon mum Suzanne Clift

The Gippsland community is mourning the loss of an “adventurous” Traralgon mother, who leaves behind three children.

Gippsland mum Suzanne Clift, 51, suddenly passed away on July 18, leaving her three children, Sam, 17, Josie, 15 and Taylor, 12, heartbroken. Picture: Facebook

The Latrobe Valley community is mourning the loss of an “adventurous” Traralgon mother who had a passion for photography taking photos.

Suzanne Clift, 51, died suddenly on July 18, leaving her three children, Sam, 17, Josie, 15 and Taylor, 12, heartbroken.

Close friend Kate Stock said Ms Clift, who worked in administration at the My Integra/NDIS, was family orientated.

“She was just a very bubbly, outgoing and caring friend,” Ms Stock said.

“Anyone in need of anything — she was always first to put her hand up, offer assistance, a shoulder to cry on — she was a lovely and generous person.

Ms Clift worked at the NDIS and was known for her photo-taking passion. Picture: Facebook

“She was always going on adventures with her children or friends, getting out of the house and she loved taking photos — she took photos wherever she went.

“She would take a photo whether it was of the people she was with, if it was of the scenery, down to trees and rocks — wherever she was, she was always behind the camera.”

Ms Stock said Suzanne regularly helped out in the local community.

“She assisted through the school and football, and supported school productions, whether her children were in it or not,” she said.

“She was just there supporting — that’s pretty much her in a nutshell.”

Ms Stock met Suzanne when they worked in childcare together.

“Sue moved on but our friendship stayed so we were very close,” she said.

Close friend Kate Stock (pictured left) and Ms Clift (pictured right) met when they both worked in childcare, and have been friends ever since. Picture: Facebook

“We did lots of things like little trips to Melbourne — we went to Bali this year.

“And our children are all very close in age — so we always did family birthdays, family dinners, shared stories and vented to each other.”

Ms Stock added the last dinner she had with Suzanne was a lot of fun and they shared many laughs.

“We were always the last (people) in the restaurant and got kicked out at the end of the night because we’re always sitting there giggling and never wanting to go home,” she said.

“She literally lived a block away from me — so we’re either walking the dogs or just catching up for coffee.”

Ms Stock some days were better than others for Suzanne’s children.

“They’re taking it (the loss of their mother) day by day,” she said.

“The kids have had great support from the football teams and had lots of family around them — so they’ve been keeping busy.

“But they’re feeling up and down at the same time.”

Ms Stock said the children reached out whenever they needed to cry or laugh.

“We’re popping around there as often as possible and helping out,” she said.

Ms Stock has organised a GoFundMe page to help Ms Clift’s family relieve financial stress during this difficult time, and the fundraiser has raised almost $19,000.

Ms Clift was farewelled at a funeral service at the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery on Cemetery Dr in Traralgon on Monday.