Abdallah family marks anniversary of losing four children in Oatlands crash
The Abdallah family have marked the one-year anniversary of the heartbreaking loss of their four “little saints” — three of their children and their niece — at the hands of a drunk driver.
NSW
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The Abdallah family will make February 1 a “day of forgiveness” despite it being the date their three “little saints” were taken from them.
Thirteen year-old Antony, 12 year-old Angelina and 8 year-old Sienna Abdallah were killed along with their 11-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr when they were struck by a drunk driver on a footpath in Oatlands as they walked to get ice cream on the evening of February 1, 2020.
Hundreds of family and friends gathered at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on Friday night for the children’s one year mass, a traditional memorial which marks a year since their passing.
“Little saints, forever in our hearts and the light of their lives” an invitation to the mass read.
“In remembrance of our beloved… Antony, Angelina and Sienna’s one year mass.”
In the almost two hour-long mass, mourners laid white roses beneath portraits, sang and said prayers for the Abdallahs and Ms Sakr, before several family members delivered emotional sermons at the lectern.
Father Danny Abdallah said he did not mourn February 1, but “celebrated” the day as his childrens’ new birthday.
“We sing happy birthday to them, as this is the day they went to heaven, where we will one day hope to join them,” he said.
“This is a day of forgiveness, not hate or anger.”
The remaining three Abdallah children also spoke, with second youngest son Alex Abdallah asking God to keep his siblings “safe and happy”.
Leila Abdallah gave an emotional speech on behalf of her fallen babies, remembering Antony as her “handsome gentleman”, Angelina’s “infectious smile” and Sienna as her “little princess”.
“They were my children but also my best friends,” Ms Abdallah said.
“I will carry this burden forever… I love you with all my heart and miss everything about you.”
While COVID-19 restrictions reduced guest numbers, with one person allowed per four square metres, hundreds of loved ones packed into the sizable cathedral for the event.
Classmates of Antony’s from The King’s School and several of Angelina and Sienna’s peers at Tara School for Girls also attended in their school uniforms.
Scattered amongst mourners were several famous faces including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who arrived shortly before the ceremony began.
Mr Morrison has struck up a close friendship with the Abdallah family since the tragic loss, and said it was “an honour” to be invited to their children’s mass.
“The Abdallah family is a light to us all. Leila and Danny’s faith, grace and humility is rare and precious,” Mr Morrison said.
“It was an honour for Jenny and I to join them once again to remember their beloved Antony, Angelina and Sienna.”
After the service, attendees gathered outside to release a rosary made of balloons.
Another event has been scheduled at the crash site’s makeshift shrine on Bettington Rd, Oatlands for Monday afternoon, where Ms Abdallah will gather with community members at 7pm to pray on the exact anniversary of her childrens’ deaths.
It comes as Samuel Davidson, 30, has pled guilty to nine charges including four counts of manslaughter, after he hit and killed the four children and injured another four when his ute mounted the kerb and hit the group from behind.
Parramatta District Court heard in November last year Davidson had a cocktail of drugs and alcohol in his system when he hit the children.
Davidson is due to be sentenced in March.
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