Tributes flow for cherished Mandurah community member Dee Freitag

Wednesday, 24 May 2023 09:05

By Monique Welhan

Dee Freitag founded charity organisation Halo. PIC: Halo Team Mandurah/Facebook

Tributes are flowing for cherished Mandurah community member Dee Freitag who lost her four-year battle with breast cancer this week.

Dee founded charity organisation Halo in 2014 which later grew to include an op-shop and then a community kitchen.

The mother-of-four made it her life’s work to help those less fortunate in the Peel region providing emergency relief, homelessness support and free meals.

"For those of you who met Dee or knew of her tireless work in our community know what a great privilege it has been to meet such an amazing person," Mayor Rhys Williams said.

"Dee was open about her uneasy upbringing. She battled with a drug addiction and experienced long periods of homelessness. But, true to her resilient nature, through this experience, Dee realised there were gaps in the welfare system that weren't being met and was able to use this low point in her life to help others.

"On behalf of Council, my thoughts go out to Dee’s family, friends, colleagues and everyone who was touched by her light and who will be feeling her loss deeply.

"Mandurah is a better place because of Dee, and she will be tremendously missed."

Dee was crowned the City of Mandurah's Local Legend. PIC: Facebook

A GoFundMe page has been setup to help Dee's family financially.

"Dee and her family supported and touched many people's lives, and now more than ever, they need support back. Every bit donated will make Kurt and the kids lives a little easier," the GoFundMe page read.

Dee and her children. PIC: GoFundMe