Life of alleged murder victim Debra June Hunter remembered at Earlville funeral

Family, friends and loved ones have paid tribute to a one-of-a-kind “mum for everyone”, allegedly murdered last month.

Family, friends and loved ones have paid tribute to a one-of-a-kind “mum for everyone”, allegedly murdered last month.

Debra June Hunter was 67 when she was found dead on Monday, September 23.

She was laid to rest on Saturday.

Her daughter Rene Martin said her mother was “one-of-a-kind” and “marched to the beat of her own drum, never wavering from her own moral compass”.

“She was stubborn as hell, and don’t get on her bad side but when she loved you it was like another kind of love,” she said.

“She was the mum there for anyone who needed her and she would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.”

The Joan St house in Bungalow Cairns where Ms Hunter died. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Born on June 17, 1957, her former partner Chris shared his memories of her life.

“We all knew Deb and loved her well,” he said.

“I’m going to marry you, they were my first words to the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

“Debra was my muse.

“We were young hippies in the hippy Mecca of North Queensland.”

Mr Hunter said they moved to Wonga Beach where they lived an idyllic life before moving to South East Queensland and Northern NSW, starting their family.

Crime scene investigators were set up at the Joan St house.

Chris said Debra was a fierce netballer winning minor and major premierships for three years.

When her father fell ill, she travelled back up north to be with him and allow him to spend more time with his granddaughter.

“She was there for all of us and many more people as a sanctuary.

“A shy rainbow was our Debra, colouring our world with her deep insight and unconditional love.”

Following investigations, officers arrested and charged a 25-year-old Cairns North woman with murder (domestic violence offence). Picture: Peter Carruthers

Ms Martin said she remembered her high school friends coming over to their place just to chat with her mother while she moaned in the background telling her “you’re talking too much with my friends, mum”.

“She was the mum who would take them on as her own,” she said.

“Even in the hardest of times she would never give up on the people around her.

“She taught me many life lessons that I will pass on to my daughter.

“I know she will send me signs to look up and admire the small things.”

The family thanked emergency responders for their genuine concern and assistance.

The funeral officiant ended the ceremony saying: “Sadly Debra was robbed of her life on Monday, September 23, and we all wish she could have grown old gracefully, it’s tough to think she can’t live out her golden years in the way she deserved.”

Cairns North woman Jadine Jasmina Calthorpe has been charged with Ms Hunter’s alleged murder and is currently remanded in custody.

No pleas have been entered.

Originally published as Life of alleged murder victim Debra June Hunter remembered at Earlville funeral