‘My world’: Mum‘s heartfelt tribute for daughter after shock passing

The mum of a young Toowoomba woman who was excelling in her career and had only just celebrated her 21st birthday, has remembered her vibrant, bright and fearless daughter.

Toowoomba mum Michelle Gardiner has opened up about her daughter Rebecca Strungaru who tragically took her own life at 21 years of age. Picture: Kat Cherry

Vibrant, bright, driven, fearless, adventurous and beautiful is how loved ones have described Rebecca Louise Strungaru.

The young Toowoomba woman turned 21 on March 14 and less than two weeks later she had tragically taken her own life.

Months away from becoming fully qualified, the driven carpenter apprentice loved her job and was well respected by her employers at Fallon Homes.

Rebecca’s mum Michelle Gardiner said her second eldest child of three children had a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh that could fill the room.

“She was just my world,” Ms Gardiner said.

“Rebecca was quite the character … I don’t think there was a selfie without her tongue poking out and she loved to play jokes on us, especially her brother Adrian.

“It was the small things she did … always keeping in touch with me, saying ‘I love you’ and dropping in to see how I was.

“I was always so proud when she showed me a building that she was working on.”

Rebecca Strungaru. Picture: Kat Cherry

While Rebecca made everyone around her laugh, her mum said she had been struggling with her mental health since she was 13, had a history of self-harming and had attempted to take her life previously.

After a few troubled years in high school, Ms Gardiner was happy to see Rebecca graduate from Harristown State High School in 2019 and receive an award for top of the class in her Furnishing Skills subject.

Set to complete her apprenticeship a year early, Ms Gardiner said her daughter even spoke like “a real tradie”.

She said her daughter was fearless whether it was at work or at the skate park where she used to test her athletic abilities on her scooter, skateboard or BMX bike.

But as the years went on and after a series of traumatic events, Rebecca’s mental health deteriorated and she distanced herself from others.

Last year she was also diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Then on the night of March 27, it all became too much and Rebecca tragically took her own life.

Toowoomba mum Michelle Gardiner has opened up about her daughter Rebecca Strungaru who tragically took her own life at 21 years of age. Picture: Kat Cherry

The 21-year-old sent her mum a text at 8.04pm to tell her she loved her.

After a friend saw Rebecca had uploaded a concerning video to her Tik Tok account, her mum reported her missing and emergency services became involved.

A search for Rebecca continued well into the early hours of the following morning, police told Ms Gardiner to go home and get some rest and she arrived home just before dawn.

She even packed a bag of clothes for Rebecca just in case she needed to go to the hospital.

It was when Ms Gardiner received a knock on the door from the police that she realised her life would never be the same.

“Then came the news no parent wants to hear,” Ms Gardiner said.

“She was tired of struggling and felt like she was not getting anywhere, going around in circles, but in the days before Monday she was in the best of spirits and just looked so calm.

“I can truly say that I am at a loss at the moment – feeling the loss of a child who was my world, but I feel at peace knowing she is at peace now.

“Please hug your children whenever you get the chance.”

Toowoomba mum Michelle Gardiner has opened up about her daughter Rebecca Strungaru who tragically took her own life at 21 years of age. Picture: Kat Cherry

Ms Gardiner encouraged any young people who were struggling and unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel to tell an adult they trusted and seek help.

“Kids think us adults don’t understand and keep things to themselves,” she said.

“Its very daunting bringing a child up in these times, especially with social media which can also be harmful to their mental health.”

Ms Gardiner said she was grateful for the support she and her family had received from the community.

Rebecca leaves behind her mum, brother Adrian, 24 and sister Katelyn, 13.

The family are having a private, colourful service to “celebrate the life of a beautiful girl” later this month.

Donations to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder in Rebecca’s honour are appreciated.

If you are struggling please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.