Nineteen-year-old Kevin Bot and his two siblings are mourning the tragic and sudden passing of their mother, Shelly, who died last week in Thailand.
“She was a very loved person out there, and every day she had a smile on her face,” Bot said.
The 50-year-old Penticton resident and her partner travelled to the island of Ko Tao on the western shores of Thailand in early February where she was involved in a fatal snorkeling accident on Feb.16.
“Another boat, from what I was told decided to take a short cut and hit her breaking her neck and ending it almost instantly,” Bot said from his home in Aldergrove.
The family is still in shock.
“It’s just hard to think about her no longer being with us, and it’s really odd, because it didn’t happen somewhere close to us and it’s not like we were able to see it with our own eyes. It’s just one day she went on a trip to go have fun and the next couple of weeks she is not coming back,” Bot said.
The mother of three was a beloved employee at the Dollar Tree store in Penticton.
Colleagues describe her as the heart of the store and said they are shocked and saddened by her sudden passing.
A memorial with photographs, flowers and a card for customers to sign is on display at the store.
The federal government won’t release details of the incident, citing privacy reasons.
Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Austin Jean said in a statement issued to Global News that “our thoughts are with the family and friends of the Canadian Citizen who passed away in Thailand. Canadian consular officials are providing consular assistance to the family.”
Bot said he believes this was nothing more than a tragic accident.
“I do believe that it was quick and it was painless and she was having fun at the time. At this point that’s all I need to know to keep myself going forward.”
Bot’s remains will be cremated before she will be brought home for an intimate funeral with family members.