'She would want us to live life to the fullest'

Heidi Welman spent every spare minute doting on her two children and faced challenges with a smile. Photo / Supplied

A family is still grieving for the mum who loved life.

Heidi Welman loved the beach, shopping and sipping cider in the sun.

The Auckland nurse, who spent every spare minute doting on her two children, was an affectionate mum who faced challenges with a smile.

On Friday, her heartbroken family walked along Auckland's Bucklands Beach, threw petals in the incoming waves and ended the day with a cider as they remembered the woman taken from them a year ago.

Friday was the anniversary of the day the 41-year-old died on a quiet street in Albany, Auckland, after allegedly being stabbed by her estranged husband.

Yesterday, Heidi's brother Ashley paid tribute to his loving sister and described a harrowing year in which he has provided love and stability to Heidi's two children Taryn, 23, and Keagan, 14, while battling intense grief. Taryn was also badly hurt in the incident.

"It has been a horrific, traumatic year," Ashley Welman told the Herald on Sunday. "There has been counselling and a lot of time off work."

When Ashley received the call that would change his life, he rushed to the hospital to be by Taryn's side then had to call his mother in South Africa to tell her her only daughter was dead.

"It's so vivid. We always try to think what Heidi would have wanted. I don't think she would want us to be sad on this day," Ashley said.

"Even when Heidi was going through a hard time she always had a smile on her face."

Ashley now takes care of Taryn and Keagan.

Heidi Welman was stabbed to death in her Albany home. Photo / Jason Oxenham

"My family grew instantly - it is not a burden and it will never be a burden but it is a huge adjustment," Ashley said.

"I think about what happened every day. I see her kids at my house and I know these children should be with their mother. She was an amazing mother and it is hard for me because I have to try to be the parent she was."

Ashley, his ex-wife Jo-Anne Michaels-Mulder and their daughter Robyn-Leigh have tried to focus on Heidi's positivity and love of life.

Jo-Anne and Heidi were friends since childhood in Cape Town, South Africa. Ashley and his family moved to Auckland 18 years ago and Heidi and her family joined them seven years later.

"She was such a giving person," Jo-Anne said. "When she had the children she would work night shifts so she could be there for them during the day. When they were awake she was there to take them to school. They didn't know a life without her."

Jo-Anne said her last conversation with Heidi was about hope and fresh starts.

"She would want us to live life to the fullest, take each day as a blessing. We need to do this and honour her. We can't be the victims. We have to be the champions for her and live for her."

Brent Donovan Scott will stand trial in February, charged with Heidi Welman's murder and attempting to kill his stepdaughter Taryn and her then boyfriend Matija Mimetic.