When Deepika Kumar was farewelled from New Zealand in South Auckland on Thursday evening, the mourners remembered an angel and a life that impacted on so many. 

Mother Keleni, of the Sisters of the Sacred Name, gave thanks that Deepika, who was cared for in recent years by St Christopher’s home in Suva, knew the love of a mother and father in the Rev Sandy Williams and her husband Glen during her holiday in Wellington.

Deepika had been attending Parachute in Hamilton and died after being found at the deep end of a motel swimming pool in what was a tragic accident.

Tonight there was sadness but also the joy for a life that brought so much.

Mother Keleni said Deepika was an angel the first day she saw her. All who met Deepika during her New Zealand visit at New Wine and Parachute and at St Mary’s Parish Whitby were touched by her desire to see things change for younger children and communities.

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls travelled up to the service as students had lost a dear friend they knew from visiting St Christopher’s Home.

The Rev Canon Robert Kereopa gave thanks for the generosity of the funeral director, Sam Achary, to care for Deepika.

Robert also noted that Deepika had touched the whole church, linking diocese and the three tikanga together.  

Prayers had been said for Deepika by all tikanga – from those at her bedside in Waikato, Evening Prayer in Te Reo, and tonight’s service of farewell led by the Anglican Indian community of the Diocese of Polynesia.

At the end of the service the funeral director announced a scholarship of $2000 for St Christopher’s Home in memory of Deepika. This was received with tears and applause.

Earlier in the service Dr Satendra Singh described seeing the future of Fiji in Deepika and others who had won an essay competition in Suva that he judged with Lady June Hillary. who also sent her condolences.

Dr Singh said Deepika was a teenager who stood out from the crowd in her life and her faith. 

Deepika will be flown home to Suva on Friday morning accompanied by the Williams family and Mother Keleni.