The family of a young woman who lost her life while working at a Woolworths in NSW has paid tribute to their “beloved wife, stepmother, sister, aunty and friend”.
On November 25, emergency services rushed to the Woolies at Jesmond Central, near Newcastle in the NSW Hunter Region about 7.30am following reports an employee had been injured.
NSW Police said paramedics attended the store but the employee, later identified as Mmalerato (Mallis) Harrison, suffered “fatal injuries” and was declared deceased on scene.
On Thursday, a friend of the family created a Go Fund Me page with the hope of raising money for the husband and family of Mallis.
“Under extremely gut-wrenching circumstances, our sweet angel was taken too soon due to a workplace incident on Friday, November 25,” the friend wrote.
“Mallis loved and lived life to the fullest. Nothing was too small or too big; whatever she put her mind to, you bet she would achieve it … of course with the world’s biggest smile on her face that was so infectious, and the brightest red lipstick that one could ever want.
She said Ms Harrison was well known around Newcastle, and worldwide, where she worked as a beauty therapist, community support worker and cleaner.
“Mallis had this incredible calming nature that would put anyone at ease, and wise words for anyone in need.”
In her last few months, Ms Harrison was working three jobs, and on the day of her passing was working as a cleaner for a third-party company at Jesmond Woolworths.
She had planned to leave work that day and head to her other part time beauty therapist job, but “unfortunately, Mallis did not make it there”.
“Death is sad, hard, and in these circumstances when one is innocently going to work contributing to the community, it is tragic … a devastating loss,” her friend wrote.
Ms Harrison leaves behind a husband, two stepchildren, a twin sister, nephew, a dog and “friends all around the world”.
“We are hoping to raise money for funeral and memorial arrangements for her husband Glenn, two stepchildren and twin sister – this will ease any stress for funeral costs.
“This is already an extremely difficult time, not to mention a Christmas without their spark ‘Mmalerato’.”
Anyone who would like to donate to the family can do so here.
A Woolworths spokesman said the supermarket giant is “deeply saddened by the tragic incident”.
“Our thoughts are with the woman’s loved ones at this difficult time,” the spokesman said.
“We are assisting SafeWork NSW and NSW Police, as well as working with our contract cleaning partner.”
The supermarket said its priority was providing support to the woman’s family.