A young mother has died unexpectedly in her sleep at the age of 25, leaving her family in shock and searching for answers.
Ruby-Lee Arnott, from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, died on the night of July 7, leaving behind three children and her partner, who planned to propose on their wedding day a few days later.
“We’re still trying to accept that it’s real,” Ruby-Lee’s mother Stacey Arnott told Daily Mail Australia.
She said Ruby-Lee and her partner Korey were planning to visit the Dandenongs, where he would propose to her with a ring he had custom-made.
“The last few days have been very difficult,” said Mrs Arnott.
‘Ruby was such an amazing mother. I was so proud of her, she had so much patience with the children and did so much with them.
“We don’t have any answers yet, which of course makes it even harder not knowing,” she said, adding that the family is awaiting the results of an autopsy.
‘She had had a cold for a few days, as had her partner and children, and two days earlier she had complained of chest pain to her cousin.’
Ruby (left) with her partner Korey (right) and children Amelia, 7, Chase, 5, and Violet, 10 months
Ruby-Lee’s mother Stacey Arnott (pictured together) said the family is searching for answers
a GoFundMe was launched to help Ruby’s family with funeral expenses.
Friend Angie Galbraith said at the fundraiser that Ruby was a “vibrant and loving person who touched the lives of everyone she met.”
“It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of our dear friend,” she said.
“She leaves behind three beautiful young children: Amelia, age 7, Chase, age 5, and Violet, age 10 months. They will cherish the memories of their wonderful mother forever.”
She said any money left over from funeral expenses will be used to care for her children.
Another friend, Trish Scarlett, said the two became friends at a young age when they were sitting in a sandbox and Ruby made her laugh by pointing at cat poop.
“Her becoming a mother was all we talked about as kids and it was so beautiful to see her become a mother,” she said. The Herald Sun.
“Her children are an absolute tribute to who she was as a person.”
She described her as “unique” and a “rock” and said she would miss her friend immensely.