ABOUT 500 mourners attended the funeral of two-year-old Aisling Symes in New Zealand yesterday.
Aisling, whose father Alan is from Stradbally, Co Waterford, was found in a storm water drain close to her late grandparents’ home in the Auckland suburb of Henderson last Monday. The discovery followed a week-long search for the missing toddler.
Aisling had been with her mother Angela and five-year-old sister Caitlin at the time of her disappearance.
Her mother and father, accompanied by Caitlin, lit a single candle on the altar of the Ranui Baptist Church yesterday. Mourners filed past Aisling’s coffin, which was adorned with the Irish flag, a New Zealand flag and her Winnie the Pooh teddy bear.
Aisling’s parents were too overcome with grief to speak, but her aunt, Vivian Ball, told the congregation that Aisling had been on a visit to her the day before she went missing. “She was so excited being at our place on Sunday, so excited.” Ms Ball said Aisling was about to throw a tantrum before she picked her up and began showing her family photos on the wall. “I pointed to a photo of Alan and Angela and she didn’t react like she normally did. She just said ‘Wow’.”
Relative David Barttle told mourners that Aisling’s family had been overwhelmed by the support they had received. “We can’t take it in and can’t thank you enough. The food, the flowers, the teddy bears, poems, letters, condolences and hugs,” he said.
Pastor Russell Watts told mourners of a prayer meeting being held at the time Aisling’s body was found. He said it was a sign from God. “As we were praying, the truth came to light.”
A slideshow of images of Aisling was shown to the congregation as an Irish recording of the hymn Be Thou My Visionwas played. One photo showed Aisling in her stroller with an Irish flag attached.
Aisling’s family carried her body from the church as white doves were released.