A woman killed in a roadside robbery in Mexico as she was driving to London was a very bright, strong-willed person, according to her son.
Michael Schart offered the description of his mother Gabriele in a GoFundMe campaign started Tuesday to cover funeral costs.
Gabriele Schart was fatally shot in Querataro, Mexico on Saturday. She and a friend had been driving back to Canada, where Gabby, as she was known, planned to care for her ailing mother. The mother of two had stopped her vehicle outside of a convenience store when armed robbers approached her. They demanded her belongings before shooting her, local authorities have said. The friend, who was also shot, was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
"Gabriele was a very bright person. Strong-willed. Loving. No matter how hard things got, she found the strength to keep on trying. For the last few years she had been living most of the time in Zipolite. It became her home," her son said on the fundraising platform. "She decided the best way to get back [to Canada] with all her pets was by driving. Her goal was to make it back to London, Ontario in about a week. They were making great time and had made it halfway through Mexico before the tragedy."
Global Affairs Canada has said it is aware of the death of a Canadian in Mexico.
The GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help with a variety of expenses.
"This fundraiser is to help cover expenses related to the recovery of remains, burial or cremation, legal fees, travel, and accommodation," her son said. "Later, it will also help to cover costs for memorials both here in Canada and in Mexico."
As of Thursday afternoon, more than $11,000 had been donated.