Oatlands car crash: Family mourn ‘bright spark’ Veronique Sakr at funeral
The family of Veronique Sakr, the 11-year-old girl tragically killed in the Oatlands crash earlier this month, have described her ‘unrivalled’ bond with her brother as she is laid to rest.
NSW
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The family of Veronique Sakr have described the 11-year-old as an “angel in heaven” and “full of compassion and empathy” as she was laid to rest at a chapel in Sydney’s west.
Wearing bright blue – Veronique’s favourite colour – her mother Bridget clutched at Veronique’s brother Michael as she arrived at Santa Sabina Chapel in Strathfield to say goodbye to her daughter.
Veronique was killed the Saturday before last alongside her cousins, Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah, when they were hit by an allegedly drunk driver in the Sydney suburb of Oatlands.
All the children were aged under 13.
In a heartfelt tribute to Veronique, her mother Bridget spoke of her grief.
“My heart is in agony,” she said.
Mrs Sakr said her faith and reflection on Mary’s loss of her son Jesus has got her through her pain.
“I know and appreciate the exact feeling our lady Mary went through ... (Veronique) is in a much better place.”
Mrs Sakr also spoke of Veronique’s maturity for her age.
“So excited to be in year 6, Veronique was so mature. I would ask her opinion on so many things and she always had one,” she said.
Mrs Sakr said those who knew Veronique knew she much preferred the company of adults.
“She said to me on the day she went to heaven ‘mummy you know I like talking to older people more than younger people’,” she said.
Through tears, Mrs Sakr paid tribute to her daughter’s caring nature.
“Veronique oozed empathy and compassion she was caring, funny, witty and quick, and at the same time forgetful and clumsy,” Mrs Sakr said.
“She has a strong will and a sense of justice ... her eyes took you right to the core of her heart and soul,” she said.
“I always wondered why Veronique never had any attachment to materials or toys ... it now makes sense to me. She never belonged to this world. She belonged to the spiritual world.
Supporting Bridget and Veronique’s father Bob, were Danny and Leila Abdallah, the parents of the three other killed children.
Ave Maria rung out to the hundreds of mourners gathered outside the chapel as Veronique’s small casket was carried inside.
Among those paying their respects were Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who also attended the Abdallah funeral yesterday, and Jenny Morrison, the wife of the prime minister.
Veronique’s had a close bond with her brother Michael, their love described by family as “beautiful and unrivalled”.
The family revealed Michael’s devastation at hearing the news of Veronique’s untimely death.
“Dad, how do I do it?” Michael asked his father.
“Do what?” he replied.
“Live my life without her?”
Tearful schoolchildren wearing blue ribbons lined the driveway to Santa Sabina College to say goodbye to their classmate as Veronique was driven away one last time.
Doves were released as mourners followed the funeral precession led by a drum line, after a rosary and cross made from blue balloons was released into the sky.
Amazing Grace played as a picture of Veronique was held up for all mourners to see.
Bridget Sakr and Leila Abdallah linked arms, united in grief, as they followed Veronique’s casket from the chapel.