Family and friends are this week mourning the death of Brittany Abraham who was killed in a car crash south of Curlewis on Sunday.
The university lecturer and small business owner recently completed a qualification in nursing and psychology as well as a doctor of philosophy. She was also researching mental health and wellbeing in the region.
Sister Natalie described Britt as a “beautiful and caring” person who strived to help others in need.
“We are all completely devastated and have no words to explain the pain that we are all feeling,” Natalie said.
“Everyone that knows Britt, knows how much of a beautiful and caring person she is.
“She has so much love for her family, friends and everyone around her.
“We are all so grateful to have loved Brittany, and being loved by her was the greatest gift in the world.”
Emergency services were called at about 12pm to a two-vehicle crash on the Kamilaroi Highway involving an Iveco truck and a Mitsubishi Triton.
Police said the passenger of the Triton was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
Based in Breeza, Britt was also the founder and creator of Unlax Candles which she said helped deal with her own grief.
She said the business was named in memory of her Pop who used to tell Britt to ‘unlax’ – or unwind and relax.
“Unlax Candles was born during my journey of grief after burning candle after candle next to the last photo I had taken with my Pop before he passed away,” Britt wrote on her business page.
“The warmth and light of the candle burning brought me so much comfort. I wanted to bring this same comfort to others during their journey of grief … I am forever grateful for the opportunity to normalise talking about the often unspoken topic of grief.
“The business has become my passion project which not only helps me to navigate my journey of grief and keeps my Pop’s legacy alive but allows me to help bring comfort to others on their own journey of grief.”
Despite her relatively young age, Britt had endured much in her life including a horror boating accident at age 15.
The incident left Britt with spinal injuries, which took months of rehabilitation to recover, but also a desire to “give back” the gift of life she had been given.
She would later fundraise in support of spinal injury research and was a generous donor to the cause.
A close friend from Gunnedah said Britt was committed to helping others.
“Britt is the most gentlest soul with a huge heart and so very passionate about the important messaged she shared,” the friend said.
“Normalising the often unspoken topic of grief. She truly touched the lives of every single person she met and appreciated every single moment of her life wholeheartedly.”
Britt was also a founding member of the Ripple Effect North West – a Gunnedah-based organisation focused on youth mental health.
The Ripple Effect’s Jacinta Mannion said Britt touched the lives of many in more ways than one.
“Britt’s passion, intelligence and unending drive to support her community and make the world a better place, was a joy to watch and for some of that to be shared with us was a privilege,” Jacinta said.
“All our love and prayers go to her adored partner Jack and family as they mourn the loss of their beloved Britt.
“Working to bring awareness and support to those who have or do struggle with their mental health was evident in many things that Britt did from her beautiful candles, her PHD studies, teaching, community work or just being a friend.”
To order photos from this page click here