‘A beautiful human’

This is how Lisa Bhanwarie remembered her sister, Elizabeth Bridgelal, as family and friends laid the young mother of three to rest yesterday, a week after she died in a car crash on December 24, Christmas Eve.

The house of mourning at Lalbeharry Trace, Penal was packed with people who bid farewell to Bridgelal, 35, who lost her life in an accident along the M2 Ring Road, Debe.

In her eulogy, Bhanwarie, quoting the Bible, said, “For everything there is a season. A time for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to cry and a time to grieve, a time to gather together and a time to embrace.” Bridgelal, she said, was devoted to her children, Deliza, 14, Emery, nine, and Emerald, seven.

“She was a beautiful human being who helped anyone who were in need,” Bhanwarie said.

Bridgelal’s husband, Devenish, 35, and daughter, Deliza, survived the crash which occurred at about 3 am while they were returning from a party.

Their vehicle collided with an oncoming vehicle. However, Devenish sustained injuries to the legs and chest, and Deliza suffered back injuries. Yesterday, she sat at the side of her mother’s coffin with her father and brothers.

The mourners responded in agreement when Bhanwarie continued her tribute to her sister.

“The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry and the skilful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives,” she said, noting life is filled with uncertainties.

It will be beneficial if people lead good lived regardless of challenges. People shouted, “Amen” when Bhanwarie said, “Like a fish in a net and a bird in a trap people too are caught by tragedy.” Weeping, she wished she had more time with her sister and appealed to people everywhere to be mindful of the roads and continue to exercise caution when driving.

The villagers then sang, “Life like a mist, appear for just a day.

Then disappear tomorrow.” The body of Bridgelal was then taken to the Mosquito Creek for cremation according to Christian rites.