Coral Kerr: Tributes flow for 90-year-old grandmother of Matildas star Sam Kerr

Sam Kerr’s family are mourning the loss of the Matildas star’s grandmother Coral.

An obituary published in The West Australian last week said Coral Kerr had died but that “ her presence is felt in every shared memory and quiet reflections”.

A funeral for Ms Kerr was held on Tuesday morning in Palmyra.

Coral migrated from India to Australia with her husband more than 50 years ago — helping pave the way for her granddaughter’s successful soccer career.

In 2020 she said watching Sam represent Australia’s national side was “absolutely amazing”.

The obituary published last week said “be at peace knowing you will never be forgotten”.

“Mum and mum-in-law to Phillip and Dominique, grandmother to Dylan, Kasi, Logan, Jake and Britoni. Great grandmother to Saskia, Ophelia, Abel, Ivar, Jake,” it said.

The death notice did not include Sam Kerr’s name, or mention her brother Daniel, father Roger and mother Roxanne.

Coral Kerr was badly injured in a horror crash near her home in December. She underwent major surgery and was seen in April happily back with family for her 90th birthday, recovering from her injuries.

At her 90th birthday in April she had no recollection of the moment she was hit.

“I never thought I’d see this age and after that accident,” she said, standing unassisted months after being injured.

Sam Kerr’s father, Roger, told The West in the wake of the December crash that she was “going pretty well”.

“She’s had both her hips done, her pelvis done, a rod in her knee, two broken ankles . . . she’s come through all of it,” Mr Kerr said.

“She’s a real strong lady, naturally she’s a bit upset because she can’t move around and it’s going to take her a long time to move, but she’s in good health and good spirits, that’s the main thing,” he said.

A man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and will next face court in November.