Family pays tribute to 'whirlwind' mum killed in car crash

A devastated family have paid tribute to a mum-of-four who died in a car accident during torrential rain.

Kelly Smith was killed when her blue Citroen DS3 crashed on the A96 in the Highlands on July 11.

The 41-year-old was on her way to the shops in Nairn from the family home in Forres on her day off as a cleaner she was killed.

Police Scotland appealed for witnesses following the fatal crash on the A96 in the Highlands. Email

Her eldest child, Kelsey Fraser, said her mum was “loud, bubbly, happy, energetic and kind” and her death had left the family “traumatised and devastated”.

As well as her 24-year-old daughter, Kelly left behind Ryan Fraser, 20, Shay, 14, and Fraser Smith, 13, and her husband Graham Smith.

Kelly’s death has left Graham and Kelly having to deal not only with arranging a funeral but also making sure the youngest children, who both have complex care needs, are looked after.

Kelly Smith and her husband Graham. Submitted

Shay has ADHD and learning disabilities and Fraser is in remission with retinoblastoma, cancer beginning in the eye, which has left him with one eye and sight difficulties.

Kelly had been the primary care giver with dad Graham supporting the family financially.

But the supervisor at the James Jones Sawmill had to give up his job to look after the kids after their mum passed away leaving the family in a precarious financial state.

Kelly Smith, two of children and dad Graham. Submitted

Kelly had no life insurance and, with the expense of a funeral on top of regular bills to pay, it has left them in a “horrendous” situation.

“When you’re going through the loss of a loved one, the last thing you want to be worrying about is funeral costs,” Kelsey said.

“My stepdad is a widower with two young children, both with disabilities. He’s had to quit his job to be a full-time dad and with no life insurance and his not working it’s a big mess.

“My mum was 41, she was really young. Even at my age, you don’t think twice, you think you’re invincible. It just shows you genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen.”

A close family friend, Danielle Place, setup a fundraiser for the family in the hope of relieving some of the stress.

“Honestly, we’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of messages, cards, phone calls, offers of help. It’s been amazing really,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey Fraser and her mum Kelly. Submitted

“In Forres, everyone knows everyone, everyone looks out for each other.”

Despite the struggles the family has had, including the loss of Kelly’s own mum 11 months ago, Kelsey said her mum never stopped being happy.

“All I can think of is how much of an amazing person she was. She always made sure that everyone else was seen to.

“To be honest, my mum was a very loveable person, very unique, like a whirlwind.”

Kelsey wants people in their 20s, 30s and 40s to think about the impact losing their lives would have and to think about making plans because “you just don’t know what’s going to happen”.

You can donate to the fundraiser for Kelly Smith’s family here.

Kelly was laid to rest on July 22, with residents of Forres lining the street to pay their respects as her cortege passed by.