Funeral in Spanish

THE funeral for murdered Venezuelan mother of four Katherine Diaz was held in Spanish by Fr Glyn Jemmot, who spoke that language fluently before a small group of mourners at Armour’s Funeral Home at High Street, Princes Town.

Fr Jemmot of St Theresa’s RC Church in Rio Claro and Pastor Cordelle Williams of the Cocoyea SDA Church officiated at the funeral for the 26-year-old woman who came to Trinidad with her sister seeking a better life, but who now rests for all time in Trinidad’s soil.

Both Fr Jemmot and Pastor Williams SDA Church, quoted scriptures from the Bible as they offered words of comfort and solace to grieving friends and Diaz’s sister Kelly Lozada, who stood at the side of the white coffin and wept.

All songs, including Blessed Assurance (En Jesucristo martir de paz) and When the roll is called up yonder (Cuando suene la trompeta) were sung in Spanish.

Less than 20 mourners, most of them Venezuelans, gathered at the funeral home and bid Diaz a final farewell. For the few Trinis, the religious leaders and a female teacher translated some of what was being said by the priest and pastor.

Jemmot said that the fact Venezuelans left their home country to visit TT, means they expose themselves to a lot. “It means you left behind your protection, your family, your friends, your communities. In everything you do, give Him thanks. Our journey ends in God’s house, not under six feet, not in a coffin but when we return to the father,” Jemmot said.

He invited the mourners to attend Mass on Sunday at 10.30 am in Rio Claro where there will be a sharing event for those in the parish, whose faithful is seeing more and more Venezuelans.

Diaz was stabbed on May 5 at the house where she was staying at King Street in Princes Town. She arrived in Trinidad seven days earlier. Police have since detained a suspect, also a Venezuelan who is said to be the father of one of Diaz’s children. He remains in custody

Pastor Williams assured mourners that Jesus is alive and powerful and called for people to respect and appreciate each other. Following the funeral, Diaz was buried at the Navet public cemetery.