An emotional memorial for crash victim
Accident victim's life celebrated at a memorial braai.
Friends and family of Rochelle Atterbury Billing who died in a vehicle accident recently celebrated her life with a memorial braai at her Zuurbekom home.
Rochelle, 35, was killed on the morning of Wednesday, 12 May on the R93 near Cooke 3. She was on her way to drop off her son at school and go to work afterwards.
According to her long-time friend, Ilze van Deelen, Rochelle had been travelling with her five-year-old son Luann and his three-month-old puppy, Dennis.
The beloved mixed-breed staffie puppy was in the vehicle that was involved in the accident and has been missing since.
“We do not really know what caused the accident, but there was another vehicle involved. Investigations are under way to establish the actual cause of the accident,” Ilze said.
She added that her friend of 13 years sustained fatal injuries. Fortunately, the boy and the puppy escaped unscathed.
“It was almost as if Luann was protected by some sort of a bubble – he only sustained a few grazes on his face,” Ilze said.
Ilze said the boy told the family that after the accident, he got out of the vehicle and tried shake his mother to wake her up as she was lying on the ground.
“He also said the puppy was licking his mother but she had already passed away.”
Also read: Puppy missing after vehicle accident: Search party says still no luck
However, after the scene was cleared Dennis was missing.
“The puppy was his best friend; his mother had bought him the puppy just a few months ago. Since he’s the only child, the puppy was more like a sibling to him,” Ilze said.
Ilze said Rochelle was her best friend and her son’s godmother, adding that they’ve become more like family than just friends.
She described her as someone who cared about others; especially children who were orphaned.
“There can never be anyone like her; she was a loving and a happy person and was always willing to help others. She was the best person I have ever known in my life,” Ilze said.
Marietjie Naudé, Rochelle’s mother, said her daughter was the greatest gift to her as a mother.
“I will forever remember her for the love she gave us, and that she was always there and supported us as a family.
“She was the light in all of us, and you can even see it in her friends. I am glad to be her mother,” an emotional Marietjie said.
The family also expressed their thanks to everybody who were searching for Dennis, especially EC Security and The 9th Day – a centre for rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals – for their continued efforts to help reunite Luann and Dennis.
