The shattered mother of a woman who suddenly died while walking home from Westfield has spoken out for the first time.
Melissa ‘Flossy’ Pryke, 44, was found dead near a creek on Boundary Street in Redland Bay, 40 minutes southeast of Brisbane, on the morning of May 23.
She is believed to have suffered a seizure and fallen down the creek embankment while walking home from Westfield Carindale the night before.
Her mother, Charmaine Pryke, broke her silence on Saturday, saying she is constantly in tears from family and friends sending their condolences.
‘It has been (helpful), but with every message I cry. With every bunch of flowers I cry, with every care package I cry,’ Mrs Pryke told The Courier Mail.
Melissa ‘Flossy’ Pryke (pictured), 44, was found dead near a creek on Boundary Street in Redland Bay, 40 minutes southeast of Brisbane, on the morning of May 23
Mrs Pryke was at home alone but immediately knew something was wrong when police came knocking on her door last week.
‘I was outside locking up and I heard bang, bang, bang on the door. I knew something was wrong, you don’t get three policemen come to the front door at 9.30 on a Saturday morning,’ Mrs Pryke told the publication.
Police officers then informed Mrs Pryke that her daughter’s body was discovered near a creek next to Redland Bay Tennis Club.
Melissa had a history of seizures and is believed to have suffered one while walking home from a nearby bus stop on the afternoon of May 22.
Mrs Pryke, her husband Perry (Melissa’s father) and her son Ben (Melissa’s younger brother) are struggling to envision a future without their beloved ‘Flossy’.
‘We’re a bit raw. I don’t know what we’re going to do without her,’ Mrs Pryke said.
Melissa at an event. Her mother, Charmaine Pryke, is devastated at the sudden loss, saying she is constantly crying at messages and doesn’t know ‘what we’re going to do without her’
Melissa in New York City during a recent trip to the US. The 44-year-old loved to travel, according to her mother
Mrs Pryke remembers her daughter as a creative force who enjoyed woodwork, fashion, music, singling, recycling and op shopping.
As a child, Melissa was very well behaved but could be cheeky at times, according to her mother.
In her teenage years, Melissa was still very behaved and started to get into woodwork. She would earn money by using recycled wood to make beds, chairs, kitchen blocks and buffets.
She also enjoyed musical artists like Powder Finger, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra and would often sing Blues music.
The multi-talented teen could also play the piano, double bass and bass guitar.
Melissa’s pictures reveal she loved travelling as an adult and had recently been on a trip throughout the US, including New York City.
Melissa holding a dog. Mrs Pryke remembers her daughter as a creative force who enjoyed woodwork, fashion, music, singling, recycling and op shopping
Mrs Pryke said Melissa was very fashionable, liked to get dressed up for events and was excellent at finding hidden gems in op shops.
The mother and daughter had been op shopping the week before Melissa died. The 44-year-old bought a jacket, which she was found dead in on May 23.
The Pryke family plan to hold Melissa’s funeral after June 12, when COVID-19 restrictions relax in Queensland to allow up to 50 mourners at funerals.
Mrs Pryke wants her daughter’s funeral to pay homage to Melissa’s love of fashion.
Melissa will wear a black and ren ensemble, including her grandmother’s black satin gloves, a big black hat with a red bow and a black satin handbag with feathers.
Melissa at a restaurant in New York City with a friend. The Pryke family plan to hold Melissa’s funeral after June 12, when COVID-19 restrictions relax to allow up to 50 mourners at funerals