Carmen Yanko died on March 11 in a high-speed crash involving a fleeing driver - now friends of the 53-year-old are raising money for her five children.
Ms Yanko was on her way to set up a market stall at the Nelson Sunday market on March 11 when she was hit head-on by a car driven by Johnathan Tairakena - both he and passenger Phillip Jamie Stretch also died.
Family friend Melody Brass has set up a Givealittle page asking people to help the family in a very needy time.
"Carmen was a wonderful mother to five children ... she worked hard to support them and encouraged them to live their best lives, always," Ms Brass wrote.
"Her death has left her young family reeling and has also put a lot of pressure on them financially with costs related to the farewell, and their futures.
"The youngest three, aged 17, 19 and 21, are still finding their feet as young adults; finishing high-school and heading to university.
"We, friends of the family, respectfully call on the New Zealand community to help ease this financial pressure during this heartbreaking time, by giving what you can."
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