Tears for ‘loving mum’

Community rallies after loss of ‘loving’ mum

A FUNDRAISING page has been set up to support the family of “loving mum” Stefanie Lancaster, of Waterloo,

who died in a twocar accident near Huonville at the weekend.

THE sister of a woman killed in a crash at Huonville says she has lost her “best friend” as the community rallies behind her husband and two children through an online fundraiser.

Stefanie “Stef” Lancaster, 50, from Waterloo, was driving on Huon Highway with her daughter Lilly Lancaster, 14, on Saturday when her BMW sedan collided with a ute towing a trailer.

Mrs Lancaster died at the scene but her daughter suffered only minor injuries.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up by Mrs Lancaster’s mother-in-law Wendy Farrington.

Mrs Lancaster’s older sister Marlowe Aster said her family had been touched after seeing more than $5500 donated so far.

“It’s such a warm feeling of being cared for,” she said.

“We don’t feel alone or abandoned.”

Ms Aster said her sister was “such a bright person”.

“She was a fierce champion for her children … she stood up for what was good and right,” she said.

“She was my very best friend.”

She said her “cheeky” and “loving” sister always uplifted and had fun with her family.

“It’s such a hard thing to realise that such a bright light is suddenly extinguished,” Ms Aster said.

Mrs Lancaster’s husband and Geeveston Golf Club president Shane Lancaster on Sunday posted about his family’s shock loss on Facebook, thanking emergency services.

“Lost the love of my life,” he wrote. “The family is hurting and the worst part is watching their pain and feeling helpless.”

Ms Aster said she and Mrs Lancaster’s friends at Remnant Church of Grace in Huonville and Geeveston Golf Club were also raising funds for the family. “The whole community is grieving alongside us,” she said.

It has been a difficult year for the Lancaster family who were left shocked by an arson attack at their property on Mrs Lancaster’s birthday in April.

Ms Farrington said via the GoFundMe page that due to COVID-19 restrictions many of Mrs Lancaster’s family would be unable to travel to Tasmania for the funeral to support Mr Lancaster and his children Shane, 17, and Lilly.

“I am asking if any of you could help us just a little,” she said. “It would be appreciated so much.”

To donate visit gf.me/u/ yvhnjh