A Mandurah woman who lost her children in a tent fire has died "of a broken heart", according to neighbours and friends.
Fiona Spies lost her children Ben and Georgie and ex-husband Brett, in a horrific blaze at Timber Top Caravan Park that left the local community in shock six years ago.
In May 2011, 16-year-old Ben, 13-year-old Georgie and 48-year-old father Brett died of burns after an electrical fault caused a massive blast that blew apart their tent at the caravan park.
Their deaths left the community reeling and broke the hearts of everyone touched by the young family's tragedy, none more so than Ben and Georgie's mother, Fiona.
Fiona sadly passed away, after years of suffering from serious medical conditions including Parkinson's Disease, at her central Mandurah home last week.
Neighbours described the grief-stricken woman's last few years as "sad and tragic", saying the mother lived out her final years in isolation.
When neighbour Margaret Cahill first met Fiona, she was far from the woman who, in an interview with the Mandurah Mail in 2012, had said was ready to "move on".
"The lady I met was very, very sad and had let herself go," Margaret said.
"Her life was lonely and isolated. She rarely had any visitors.
"The first time I met her she was lying outside my gate. I offered her a bed for the night.
"Then she started coming to me on a regular basis.
"If the community cared for her, where were they when she needed them?"
Margaret and her husband Jim had tried to help Fiona, calling doctors and support services to guide her to a better situation.
She even bought her books from time to time and said she particularly enjoyed American author Jodi Picoult's work.
But, there came a point when it became too much for the couple and they, with the help of another neighbour, arranged visits from Silver Chain for Fiona.
Often when they didn't see Fiona for a while and she wouldn't answer the door, the couple would call the police to conduct welfare checks.
After her family died, Fiona continued to live in Central Mandurah and about three years ago, she moved to a property on Hall Street.
Hall Street resident Julie Simpson said Fiona had told her she wanted to be closer to the campsite where she had lost her loved ones because "their spirits were still there".
Julie said it was devastating that Fiona's life had spiralled out of control and in the final years she lived as a "forgotten soul".
She said Fiona had a shrine dedicated to her children in her home, with angel figurines, candles and photos.
In August 2017, the Uniting Church contacted neighbour and former manager of Uniting Outreach Mandurah Caroline Cox and informed her Fiona was living on her street.
Horrified she only just found out, Caroline began to visit and provide supplies to Fiona.
She even invited the lonely woman to her family Christmas last month.
Caroline said she seemed to have enjoyed herself, and had even brought over a gift to thank the family for their generosity.
Caroline said Fiona had taken a liking to her daughter Ros - the 22-year-old classmate of her late son Ben.
Fiona had asked her several questions including what school she had attended.
Shortly after that conversation Fiona looked uncomfortable and announced that it was time for her to leave.
Caroline said she believed it was because Fiona realised her son Ben may have known her daughter.
In the months leading up to her death the mother had deteriorated, was low-spirited and full of sorrow.
Caroline held serious concerns for her friend as she suffered from alcohol abuse and could hardly walk.
"In the end she could only walk three or four steps," she said.
"At Christmas time she had bruises on her face from falling in her house."
Caroline said Fiona's derelict property was inadequate for her conditions.
She said more needed to be done to protect people who had fallen through the cracks.
Neighbour June Haywood knew Fiona when she managed the now-closed Jimmy's Cafe.
June described Fiona in those years as vibrant and full-of-life. She said it was awful Fiona's life had deteriorated.
With a strong background of working in support services, June said the industry needed to "take a look in the mirror" and find solutions to help hurting, vulnerable people like Fiona.
She stressed the importance of getting to know your neighbours.
Margaret echoed the sentiment and also said there needed to be more information available to educate neighbours on how to deal with difficult circumstances.
Caroline, June and Julie all said they'd like to believe Fiona was "with her children now".
If you need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- Mandurah Mail
