The Logan community is in mourning after a mother and son died in a house fire over the weekend.
Carmel Pierce, aged in her 80s, and her son Marcus, in his 60s, perished in the Cypress Street blaze on Sunday 16 June.
They have been described as “selfless” people with a love for their community.
Local councillor Teresa Lane, a friend of Ms Pierce, said she was a “dynamo”.
“She was a sassy, witty, wonderful person who really loved her family,” Cr Lane said.
“She would walk into a room and just command attention, but she was also humble, loving and supportive.
“Particularly for young women – she would be advocating for them to reach for their dreams.”
Cr Lane said Ms Pierce’s level of resilience was astounding and “her capacity for motivating others was huge”.
“Over the course of three-to-four decades, the difference she made to people who will never know her name is huge,” Cr Lane said.
Ms Pierce became a victims of crime advocate following the murder of her daughter, Cary-Jane Louise Pierce, in 1988.
The 26-year-old’s body was found in an area known as ‘Rabbits Hill’ in Murrarie, near the Gateway Bridge.
The murder is unsolved, and on Tuesday 18 June police confirmed a reward of $250,000 remained on offer for “information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible”.
Cr Lane said Ms Pierce became an advocate “before there was any real victim of crimes process”.
“She worked on policy, she lobbied, she cajoled and bullied to get what was needed to support victims of crime,” she said.
“She also worked with the department of corrections as part of the parole board and was pretty innovative in some of the policy work she put forward there.”
Ms Pierce also advocated for domestic violence policies and support.
Cr Lane said Ms Pierce’s son Marcus moved from Sydney when her partner Rob passed away.
“He was a wonderful son and a person who loved his community in Sydney and gave it up to come up and care for his mum,” she said.
“After coming up here, his health wasn’t quite so good, but he forged on so his mum could remain independent, and I think that is amazing.”
On Monday morning, Woodridge MP Cameron Dick also paid tribute to Ms Pierce and laid flowers outside her Cypress Street home.
“This is a really devastating event,” he told reporters.
“I think it has shocked everyone in Woodridge and it has shocked everyone across Logan.
“I didn’t know the son very well, but I knew his mum and I knew how kind she was.
“She also had a great sense of humour and was a very energetic person.”
Rankin MP Jim Chalmers described Ms Pierce as a “good friend”.
“As a volunteer in our local area, I came to know Carmel pretty well,” he said online.
“She was a fantastic person with a big heart.
“I offer my deepest condolences to Carmel and Marcus’ family, friends and supportive neighbours who are no doubt going through a tough time right now.
“They will be sorely missed.”
The fire broke out at around 6pm, according to police.
Emergency crews arrived on scene a short time later to discover the house “engulfed in flames”.
“Despite efforts of all crews, two people who were inside the house at the time died at the scene,” a police statement said.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist their investigations, to come forward.
