NSW volcano victims remembered at service

A victim of the New Zealand volcano disaster has watched a live stream of the funeral of his parents and sister from a Sydney hospital ward.

Three members of the “wonderful” Sydney family who were killed in the White Island volcano blast have been remembered at an emotional funeral service today.

Anthony Langford, 51, wife Kristine, 46, and daughter Winona, 17, were killed when New Zealand’s White Island volcano erupted earlier this month.

Order of service pictured at the funeral for Anthony, Kristine, and Winona Langford at Marist College North Shore in North Sydney. All three passed away in the NZ Volcano disaster. Picture: Richard Dobson

Hundreds gathered at a funeral service held at a North Sydney school auditorium today, including NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

A live feed of the service was relayed for son Jesse, 19, who survived the blast and remains in Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital with serious burns.

Facebook photo of Jesse Langford.

A heartfelt message was read out at the service on behalf of Jesse, paying tribute to the special relationships he had with his parents and sister.

“Anthony, Kristine and Winona were wonderful to their immediate and extended families,” a memorial booklet for the trio read.

“They will be greatly missed by all who knew them.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (left) embraces a mourner during a memorial service for Whakaari/White Island volcano victims Anthony, Elizabeth and Winona Langford at Maris College North Shore Auditorium in Sydney, Monday, December 30, 2019. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Winona, whose body has not been recovered, was remembered as a vibrant teen with a love for music and animals.

“She was a member of the (Willoughby Girls High) school band and played the flute, taking huge delight when the band toured the USA in 2016,” the memorial booklet read.

“She was very keen to have a career in special effects makeup and attended TAFE once a week for training.”

Mourners form a guard of honour as the hearse leaves the memorial service for Whakaari/White Island volcano victims Anthony, Elizabeth and Winona Langford at Maris College North Shore Auditorium in Sydney, Monday, December 30, 2019. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Mourners form a guard of honour as the hearse leaves the memorial service for Whakaari/White Island volcano victims Anthony, Elizabeth and Winona Langford at Maris College North Shore Auditorium in Sydney, Monday, December 30, 2019. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Kristine, or Kris to her friends and family, was a loving mother with a passion for the outdoors.

“Kris was a very active person and walked Gypsy the family dog every day, and enjoyed bike riding. Her family and friends meant everything to Kristine.”

Anthony was a remembered as a dedicated family man who loved boating and travelling.

“He embraced the present, while his diligence and work ethic ensured his family’s future,” the memorial booklet read.

The family were travelling on the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship at the time of the eruption.

New Zealand authorities say Winona’s body has likely been swept out to sea alongside the body of Kiwi tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman. New Zealand police recently called off the search for their bodies. The death toll from the White Island eruption recently rose to 19 after a victim died in an Auckland hospital.

Some 47 people, including 24 Australian citizens and four permanent residents, were on the island when the volcano erupted.