Celestae Gibbons’ father said she was making a new life for herself and her daughter before she was shot and killed by her ex-husband Monday.

“This was a tragedy that will always haunt us during our lifetime,” said William “Bill” Taitano via text message Wednesday night.

Gibbons, born in Oklahoma City, “was once a model but never allowed that to change her demeanor as a fun-loving person,” Taitano said. “She was loved and respected by everyone who knew her.”

She moved to Kauai about three years ago.

“Celestae loved the island and decided to make Kauai her home,” he added.

Gibbons’ family was expected to arrive on Kauai from Oklahoma on Wednesday night.

Arrangements were made to turn custody of the child, held by Child Welfare Services, over to family members Wednesday night, according to county spokeswoman Sarah Blane.

At about 10 p.m. Monday in Puhi, the 9-year-old child witnessed her father, Justin Gibbons, who was known as Chayse, fatally shoot Celestae Gibbons before he fatally shot himself, Kauai police said. The child was not injured.

Celestae Gibbons’ friends say her daughter meant everything to her. In June, a judge awarded her custody of the girl and granted the divorce Gibbons, 42, filed for in November. Her friends said her ex-husband was never OK with the divorce.

Friends say Celeste Gibbons will be best remembered for her beautiful smile, sense of humor and big heart.

Bethanny Crouse, in a telephone interview from Arizona, recalled how the two and their daughters spent a lot of time together relaxing at Black Pot Beach and paddleboarding on the Hanalei River. They scheduled “girls card nights” where Gibbons taught her friends how to play rummy.

Gibbons had a natural likable quality, Crouse said. “She was so kindhearted. And she was fun, full of fun and laughter,” Crouse said. “She lit up every room she walked into.”

When Crouse moved to Arizona in 2015, she remained close to Gibbons, regularly calling or communicating via FaceTime.

Another friend, Tammy Owings of Princeville, Kauai, said Gibbons had moved to Halelani Village from Princeville with her daughter. Gibbons’ mother briefly lived with them before returning to Oklahoma.

Owings, who last spent time with Gibbons two weeks ago at the beach, described Gibbons as bubbly and sweet.

Taitano said: “She will be missed by all whose life she touched.”