Community mourns devoted Capreol mother killed in Hwy. 144 crash

Capreol's Deborah Moxam died in a Highway 144 crash last week. Her death orphans three adult children, two with mental illnesses.

Deborah Moxam, 58, of Capreol, was one of two people killed in a head-on crash on Highway 144 crash Jan. 6.

Her family said this week that Moxam will be remembered as a generous soul who helped people with developmental disabilities.

“She was very involved in her community in Capreol (and with) her church,” said Elizabeth Mousseau, Moxam’s sister.

“And she was the matriarch for her children,”

She left behind three children -- Donalda, Daniel and Damara, who was in the vehicle with her when the crash took place.

“It’s really a crisis within a crisis because this family was in a crisis before this accident,” Mousseau said.

“The two daughters both struggle with mental illness and my sister was their support system. Now they’re left with nobody to help them carry their burden.”

Damara was dependent on her mother and was living with her at the time of the tragedy.

“So she has no means of income and is going to need extensive rehabilitation,” Mousseau said.

Since the crash, Damara has had four surgeries in Ottawa to address head, neck and spine injuries. Her brother, Daniel, and his wife are staying with her.

“The financial impact for each of them is significant,” Mousseau said.

“My niece, Donalda, also depended on my sister. She is on ODSP, and her ODSP was based on what she was paying my sister to contribute to the household. And soon that will not be available for her.”

That means Donalda needs to find new housing and supports.

“There’s a big road ahead for her, as well.”

To help the family, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the children. They are orphans now, since their father also died suddenly six years ago.

Raised more than $31K

As of Tuesday afternoon, the page has raised more than $31,000 for the family.

“The community support is overwhelming,” Mousseau said.

“Before the obituary launched, we had already met our goal. And now that the obituary is out, it’s even increasing. So hopefully this will add to that because there’s such a dire need.”

Mousseau said her sister didn’t have a will, which is adding to the stress the family is experiencing.

“The kids are in a position also where they have to worry about a probate lawyer and the expenses of dealing with the estate,” she said.

“The two daughters have no source of income … This is something that’s going to have to be the GoFundMe will help them to deal with.”

The tragedy is a reminder for everyone to get their affairs in order in case tragedy strikes, Mousseau added.

“It’s so important for your family,” she said.

“If you don’t have that in order, it’s a big hill to climb.”

The other driver killed in the crash was a 53-year-old man from Sudbury.

Ontario Provincial Police said the investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.