WHEN Jolene Warzywoda draws on the last memories of her sister, a smile momentarily appears.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was a moment shared by many sisters celebrating the journey of motherhood.
Six months pregnant, Jolene lay on the floor as Fiona placed her hand on her stomach to feel the baby kicking.
“She was so excited to be an aunty again and she was going to be there when the baby was born, like she was with my others,’’ Jolene said.
“She was so happy to be moving back to Bendigo.’’
But the warmth of that memory quickly subsides, as heavy sadness and another flood of tears sets in.
The grief is a constant. Jolene misses her sister “like crazy, every day’’.
Fiona Warzywoda was stabbed to death outside a Sunshine shopping centre on April 16 last year.
Her former partner, Craig McDermott, is charged with her murder.
The horrific events occurred just hours after the pair left Sunshine Magistrates Court following an intervention order matter.
McDermott is still before the courts.
But Fiona’s family doesn’t want her to become another statistic, and will hold a memorial event in her memory on April 16.
The Sunshine street where Fiona was killed will be closed as people gather to light candles and carry posters reading "no more violence" and "no more murder".
“Family violence needs to be stopped – it isn’t a once in a blue moon thing, it happens every day,’’ Jolene said.
Family violence needs to be stopped – it isn’t a once in a blue moon thing, it happens every day
- Jolene Warzywoda
“How many more women and children are going to be murdered?
“Four beautiful children have lost their mother and their father is in jail. The violence needs to stop. The killing needs to stop.’’
The service will start at 6.30pm at the corner of Hampshire and Devonshire roads, Sunshine.
Fiona’s family thanked Frankie O's Flower Emporium; Red Fox Bendigo; Bendigo Party Hire; Bendigo Hire; Bendigo World of Flowers; and Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre, who have supported the memorial.