Grandchildren of murdered 75-year-old: She was a family woman

THE grandchildren of 75-year-old Daiyke “Meera” Mongroo shared a tearful eulogy via Zoom at her funeral on Thursday morning.

The mother of two and grandmother of four was found murdered on November 11 at her Diamond Village home.

Her husband Ramjeawan Mongroo made the gruesome discovery after returning from running errands.

No one has yet been charged for the crime but police had said they believed she was strangled.

A service under Hindu rites was held for her at her home.

Her daughter Grace Sankar was unable to hold back her tears throughout the service, which was attended by many.

Her grandchildren described her as a “family woman” and shared cherished memories of her. They live in the US and said their grandparents would visit them two to three times a year.

Granddaughter Alyssa Mongroo said, “You have to understand, it’s very hard to see her like this right now.

“We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday in her honour. She loved Thanksgiving, but more so just sitting at a table with her family. She never wanted anything more than just a happy family. She would do anything to protect her family.”

She said her grandmother understood the value of education and always urged them to follow their dreams.

“She encouraged us to study hard and we did. I’m going to be a lawyer and Giselle’s going to be a doctor. My bother (Ryan) is going to be completing his master’s and Brian is going to be a pilot.

“There was so much more she should have seen us become, But we are thankful for the 22 and 24 years we have spent with her.”

She reassured their grandfather that he is not alone, as all the grandchildren are “right there with them.

“We will get through this together,” she said.

Giselle said her grandmother was caring, loving and funny and that she was lucky to have had such a woman in her life.

“My grandma prayed for us every day. And when things got hard, she prayed even more. She gave me faith that bad days would become bad days.”

She said Mongroo loved to give, but would always insist she didn’t need anything in return.

Ryan, the youngest, burst into tears during his speech. He recalled always being the first to run to the door to greet her when she visited, and the first to cry when it was time for her to return to Trinidad and Tobago.

“She taught me life lessons, she told me stories, and of course she was an amazing cook. She strived for nothing more than to be a loving mother and pushed her grandkids to challenge their boundaries and never to settle.”

He said she travelled the world, including her dream destination, India.

“Thank you for the memories, the laughs, the love and support. We are so sad to see you go but we will continue to honour you and continue to pray. You can rest now, Grandma.”