The family of a beloved Auckland mother killed in a tragic crash outside a North Shore café this month has described their loss as "incalculable" and a void that will be felt for the rest of their lives.
Sarah Clark, 44, was enjoying a morning hot chocolate with her 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, outside William Souter Espresso in Forrest Hill on March 11. Shortly before 9 am, a car mounted the pavement and struck them as they sat at an outdoor table.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on William Souter Street. Ms Clark was transported to hospital in a critical condition but tragically died from her injuries. Her daughter, Hannah, survived with moderate injuries, in an incident that has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community.
An irreplaceable mother, wife and sister
In the weeks since the devastating incident, Ms Clark’s family have spoken of their profound grief. Her sister, Lisa Clark, said the loss for Sarah’s husband, Cameron, and their two teenage children, Hannah and 13-year-old Max, was one "which will be deeply felt every day for the rest of their lives".
Speaking to the NZ Herald, Mr Clark described his wife of 18 years as "extremely beautiful, wise, caring, smart, diligent, and full of faith," saying she had shown him "a richer definition of love" than he had ever known was possible.
Lisa Clark echoed these sentiments, saying she was inspired by her sister’s "I’d do-anything-for-them" love for her children, her sense of adventure, and her unwavering determination.
A Givealittle fundraising page was established by Lisa last week to support the family. "While nothing can ever replace or fill the immense void Sarah leaves behind her, we want to do whatever we can to honour her legacy and give her precious kids all the opportunities she would have wanted for them," she wrote on the page.
We don’t know how we’ll ever bear our loss. But at the same time, we are grateful for everything she poured into our lives every day that she was with us, and we know that her love, especially for her darling kids, will be with us always.
A community in mourning
The tragedy was felt deeply within Ms Clark's community at the Windsor Park Baptist Church, where she had been a member for many decades and served on the staff team for more than seven years. She was the manager of the Windsor Park LifeCare Trust, an organisation dedicated to supporting the community.
In a tribute posted to social media, the church said its community was in mourning. She was remembered for her deep faith, leadership, friendship, and the genuine care she showed to many. It was through the church's youth ministry that she met her husband, Cameron.
The incident has also highlighted the fragility of public spaces. The crash happened suddenly on a typical Wednesday morning. Café owner Paige Sun recalled hearing a loud "boom" as the vehicle, driven by what she described as a "very, very old lady," slammed into the outdoor dining area. The impact was forceful enough to bend metal chairs and damage a wall of the café building.
Ashleigh Bartlett, a veterinarian from the neighbouring clinic, The Cat Doctor’s North Shore, heard the crash and was one of the first on the scene to offer help. She noted the remarkable composure of Sarah’s daughter, Hannah, in the immediate aftermath. "She was incredible," Ms Bartlett said. "She was obviously in shock, but she was very calm… she was amazing." The family's puppy, Cosmo, was also injured in the incident.
A legacy of 'care in action'
The family has shared how Ms Clark’s life was defined by her commitment to others, a legacy her sister described as "the embodiment of care in action, of love with hands and feet". While sorting through his wife's belongings after her funeral, Cameron Clark found some of her old journals, which gave a poignant insight into her philosophy on life.
In an entry from 2011, Sarah wrote: "I have always valued community, but had tended to be more on the ‘being there for’ and ‘helping others’ side, rather than ‘being vulnerable’ and ‘accepting help from others’."
She continued: "But community is a two-way street, and just as much as there are seasons when we need to be there for others, there are also seasons where we need to let others be there for us and help carry our burdens . Not only do we celebrate together, but we mourn together too."
These words now serve as a powerful reflection of the community support that has surrounded her family since her passing. The family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love. "The family is so thankful to everyone for their support and generosity, and has truly felt all the love and prayers during this time," Lisa Clark said.
Police have confirmed an investigation into the crash is ongoing. For more information on road safety in New Zealand, visit the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website. The family's fundraiser can be found on the Givealittle platform.
