Accident victim buried with favourite dolls

SURROUNDED by her favourite dolls, nine-year-old accident victim Shakeeba Leona Manine Alexander was laid to rest yesterday at the Roodal Cemetery, San Fernando, following an emotional funeral service at the St Paul’s Anglican Church, Harris Promenade.

Alexander was the image of angelic perfection as she lay in a pearl white coffin clad in a white dress, with matching lace head-tie. Her mother, Leona Nicholas and only sister Shaiba Alexander, constantly comforted each other at their Thorne Street home, when Alexander’s body was brought to the house of mourning to allow family and friends one last look before the funeral service. San Fernando Anstey Girls’ ‘Memorial RC School teacher Miss Francois remembered her ex-pupil as a mature person, in the body of a nine-year-old.

Fighting back tears, the teacher said, “Shakeeba was a person who displayed a high level of responsibility and was always helpful towards the principal, vice principal, teachers and her schoolmates.” She then outlined Shakeeba’s qualities by matching them to the letters of her name: S — her bright smile, H — helpful nature, A — admired by all, K — kind-heartedness, E — eagerness to do things, E — easy to get along with, B — bubbly personality and A — an Angel loaned for a short while.

It was reported that Shakeeba was attempting to cross Bertrand Street, located near her home around 3 pm last Thursday, when she was knocked down by an approaching bakery van. The driver of the bakery van reportedly tried to pull away to avoid hitting her, but was too late.  Shakeeba was struck by the van which subsequently crashed into a nearby concrete wall. She died while doctors were attending to her at the Accident and Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital. Also in attendance of the funeral service was the San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly.