‘Bright spark’ Veronique Sakr, allegedly killed by Oatlands drunk driver, farewelled at funeral on blue day
Mourners dressed in blue — Veronique Sakr’s favourite colour — have farewelled the 11-year-old girl killed alongside her three cousins.
Thousands of people have congregated in Sydney’s west to attend the funeral of Veronique Sakr, who was killed in the Oatlands car crash last week alongside her three cousins: Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah.
Mourners dressed in blue — Veronique’s favourite colour — solemnly filed through the doors of the Saint Sabina School chapel, where the 11 year-old was a student, to rousing renditions of Amazing Grace and Jerusalem played by the school band.
Friends, family, fellow students, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Jenny Morrison were among the attendees, who filled the chapel beyond capacity well before the funeral began. As Veronique’s white coffin was driven to the door of the church, clouds that hung over Sydney for days broke, giving way to a clear, blue sky.
Veronique’s mother, Bridget Sakr, dressed in a deep blue dress, was bravely supported by her 13-year-old son Michael who had, after hearing of his sister’s death, asked his parents “How do I live my life without her?”
The pair walked into the overflowing church followed by Veronique’s father Bob Sakr and her relatives Daniel and Leila Abdallah, who had buried three of their children less than 24 hours before.
A member of the Australian Lebanese-Catholic community, Veronique’s funeral was conducted in accordance with the rites of the Maronite church and led by Monsignor Shora Maree, who oversaw the Abdallah children’s funeral on Monday.
Bridget Sakr addressed the congregation with a shaking voice, describing her love for a girl mature beyond her years and comparing her suffering to that of the Virgin Mary’s.
“On the day she went to heaven, she said to me: ‘Mummy, you know I love talking to older people rather than younger people’,” said Ms Sakr.
“She had the mind and emotional intelligence of a 25-year-old … I would ask her opinion on so many things. She always had one, and it would always make sense. At a young age she carried such wisdom and could read between the lines about anything and everything.”
“I always wondered why Veronique had no attachment to anything material — it now makes sense to me why this is the case.
“She never belonged to this world, she belonged to the spiritual world. Therefore earthly possessions meant nothing to her.”
In the homily, Monsignor Maree said Veronique was a “bright spark” and a young, devout girl who faithfully prayed Hail Marys in Arabic and was a kind-hearted sister to brother Michael.
“Michael, she was bossy to you as a brother — what’s she going to be like to Jesus up there?” Monsignor Maree said.
“She’s going to say Lord, look after my brother. Give him all the blessings he needs.”
Veronique was also described as an excellent student, whose “smile and joy” helped teachers through difficult days.
Earlier in the day, a former teacher described Veronique’s smile as one “that lights up a room”.
“No matter how tough the day was, how tired we were, she would always give a wave, a smile, a laugh, and make my life better for it,” said the teacher.
Earlier in the day, the Sakr family released a statement that describes their love for a girl who was “mature beyond her years”.
“Our beautiful girl embraced all that life had to offer. She loved to dance, kick a ball, rock-climb and endlessly swim in the pool or beach,” said the statement.
“She was a lover of dogs and her caring and motherly nature meant her six goldfish were adored like her own children.
‘Veronique had a great sense of humour and was very quick and witty with her words, which found the people around her unable to hold back their smiles and laughter.
“She was a very affectionate girl and wasn’t shy to show it. Her amazing eyes and smile will forever be the vision we see every time we blink or close our eyes.
“Our beautiful girl Veronique will always be loved and eternally missed. She brought so much love and joy to our family and the world around her. She will always be in our hearts. She was an Angel on earth and now is in heaven.”
Veronique was killed alongside her cousins Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 9 when Samuel Davidson, 29, allegedly lost control of his vehicle while drunk behind the wheel in the Sydney suburb of Oatlands last week.
Three other children were injured in the crash. Leila Abdallah’s nephew, Charbel Kassas, is believed to have suffered extensive brain damage and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Mr Davidson has been charged with 20 offences, including four counts of manslaughter. He is due to appear in court on April 2.
As Veronique’s coffin was loaded into a waiting hearse, hundreds of children from Santa Sabina college and the neighbouring St Patrick’s boys school lined the streets to form a guard of honour for their departed schoolmate.
A dove and a giant rosary constructed from blue and white balloons were released to the sky, symbolising the young girl’s ascent into heaven, to raucous applause.
Daniel and Leila Abdallah embraced Bridget and her partner Craig Mackenzie before the procession of the cross begun, led by a band of drummers from St Patrick’s headed up by Veronique’s brother Michael, a talented musician.
Surrounded by children with hands on their hearts, family and friends followed Veronique’s coffin out of the churchground and on to the street, which had been closed by police.
