SCORES GATHERED at St Andrew’s Parish Church yesterday to say goodbye to Nikkita Belgrave, one of the six victims who tragically lost their lives in the Campus Trendz, Tudor Street fire.
Some people stood outside while others assembled in the church. No matter where they were, all heard when Belgrave’s aunt Janice Griffith described her 23-year-old niece, who was originally from Walkers, St Andrew but lived in Shop Hill, St Thomas, as an independent, kind-hearted, “wayward” individual who loved to dress.
Displaying poise and speaking with a strong voice, Griffith said: “Nikkita, you were taken away from us tragically and in the prime of your life, on September 3, 2010, a day that will be forever etched in our memories by the cruel and heartless act which has left us with so many questions.
“But God knows all and he will be our strength in this very difficult time of our lives as we learn to carry on without you. Maybe we didn’t tell you often enough how much we cared and loved you but one thing is for certain that we do and we always will.”
Priest Edward Gatherer told the congregation that the problem of suffering was as old as the human race. He said that tragedy was difficult to understand and accept, and that the best minds had laboured unsuccessfully to find a solution to it.
“The problem of undeserved suffering is beyond nature to many people who think they have the answers to life and death.”
During the service, those who cried did it in a controlled manner. But when Belgrave’s white and bronze coffin was being lowered into the grave, the tortured wails of the grieving almost drowned out the voices which sang the parting hymns. (AH)
