Danielle is cremated

A picture of innocence would best describe the face of one-and-a-half-year- old Danielle Scott, as her body lay in her casket while family and friends said their final goodbyes to her at a funeral service held at the St Finbar’s RC Church yesterday.

Debra Ann and Gregory Scott, parents of the drowning victim, with tears streaming down their faces, clutched their three other children, Phillip, Matthew and Jessica as they followed the tiny casket bearing the body of their “little angel” to the front of the packed church. “When loss takes us to such deep pain we cannot understand, we can only believe,” said a relative as she read the eulogy written by Debra Ann and Gregory.

Baby Danielle drowned at Gasperee Island on New Year’s Day. The Scott family, who had rented a beach house on the island, were packing up after a day of fun when they discovered Danielle missing. Her body was soon found floating in the sea, and efforts to revive her proved futile.

Danielle, who was born on her mother’s birthday, was described by many of her relatives as a child who was loved by everyone she encountered. “She was always smiling, even with strangers,” the eulogy continued, “it is the will of God that Danielle is safe in heaven, he now has an angel by his side.” Debra Ann stated that her heart broke when she saw the lifeless body of her youngest child in the arms of her husband.

“We do not understand the loss, but we have faith in God. Nothing has hindered our belief that she has returned to God,” she stated. “To parents out there — be open to the gift of life from God always.” She expressed her gratitude that her daughter was able to celebrate her second Christmas and to “open her gifts” — gifts she was only able to enjoy for one week. Danielle was cremated at the Crematorium in St James.