A woman who drowned at a beach on the NSW South Coast this week is being remembered as a “cherished” mother, wife and nurse.
Yuliya Pashkovska, 43, was found unconscious about 1.15pm on Tuesday by surfers in the water at Pebbly Beach, 26km northeast of Batemans Bay.
The surfers pulled Pashkovska onto their boards and performed CPR.
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She was winched to the shore by a Westpac Rescue Helicopter team, where paramedics continued CPR, however she died at the scene.
Pashkovska was away on a camping trip with her husband Oleg and their two children.
A GoFundMe set up for the family has raised almost $18,000.
“On Tuesday mid-morning (Pashkovska) went for a swim at Pebbly Beach and got into some unexpected violent surf and difficulty in the water, even though she was a competent swimmer,” the GoFundMe said.
“Yuliya leaves behind two beautiful boys Markian, 13, and Vitaly, 11, and her husband Oleg who in an (instant) became the sole carer and provider for the boys as they have no other family here is Australia.”
Pashkovska worked as a nurse at Wollongong Hospital, with friends saying she had “always gone above and beyond for her patients, colleagues and the wider Illawarra community”.
“She always dedicated her time and care to others. It is now time we come together as a community to lift up Yuliya’s family during this difficult time,” the GoFundMe said.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference to help alleviate the financial strain on the grieving family, whilst Oleg learns to navigate life alone with the boys.”