Young mum's death leaves 'massive hole' in her family

PRECIOUS: Stephanie McHale with son Gareth. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A memorial forest walk will be held tomorrow for a Rotorua woman whose death has left a "massive hole" in the lives of her tight-knit family.

New Zealand representative triathlete Stephanie McHale, 29, died on Wednesday in a two vehicle crash on State Highway 5, just south of the Hemo Gorge Rd-Old Taupo Rd intersection.

Six weeks earlier, she and husband Ben became first-time parents with the arrival of their son, Gareth.

The infant was in the car with Mrs McHale at the time of the crash but was uninjured.

A memorial walk in the forest will be held for her tomorrow, according to a post on the Rotorua Association of Triathletes and Multisport (RATS) Facebook page made on behalf of the McHale and Pearson families.

"Steph was on her way out for a walk in the forest before the accident and the family would like to complete that walk for her," it said.

Yesterday her younger sister, Charlotte Pearson, told the Rotorua Daily Post how much Mrs McHale was loved.

"She is the oldest sister of me and my sister Cati - but she was not just our big sister, she was our best friend. There is going to be a massive hole left," she said.

"We're really close. Our father passed away when we were really young so it's only been the four of us."

Miss Pearson said her sister had been with her husband since they were 16 and four years ago they were married in Rarotonga.

The couple returned to the island last year for Dr McHale's work at the hospital.

During that time, the family dominated the podium of the 31km Round Raro Race, with the three sisters taking out the top three places. Stephanie finished third but was the first local woman to cross the line.

The longtime member of the Lakes City Athletic Club and RATS was a New Zealand representative in the ITU World Championship events at the Gold Coast in 2009 and Hungary in 2010.

"She was not only a really talented athlete but heavily involved in the admin side of things of the [RATS] club as well - training sessions and various things,"

Miss Pearson said. "She was a really friendly person, got along with everyone, she made an effort and was always ready to help when needed. She was my best friend, my-go to person."

Mrs McHale leaves behind husband Ben, son Gareth, mother Sheryl, sisters Charlotte and Cati and parents-in-laws Raema and Mal.

Her funeral service will be held on Monday at 11am at the Rotorua Convention Centre.

Community support is also being organised for the family. Donations are being collected at the Porse Rotorua office in Amohau St which will be forwarded to the family by the Rotorua Parents Centre.