Post by admin on Feb 7, 2009 10:27:03 GMT -5
Girl, 12, mourned at emotional funeral Mass
Kaylee Ramos perished in fire
By Kim Predham • FREEHOLD BUREAU • February 7, 2009
MARLBORO — Young Kaylee Ramos was taken to her final resting place Friday in a small white casket
"Kaylee, may the angels lead you to paradise. . . And may you rest in God's arms
forever," the Rev. Eugene J. Roberts prayed Friday morning as loved ones said farewell to Kaylee, the 12-year-old Freehold girl who died early Monday morning when fire tore through her family's Court Street home.
About 150 people attended an emotional funeral Mass for Kaylee at St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church in Marlboro. Family, friends and members of the Freehold school community, where Kaylee attended sixth grade and her sister Julianne is in fifth grade, filled the church's wooden pews during the service.
The brief ceremony was marked by tears.
Roberts had to pause during the homily to allow Julianne, struggling to breathe, time to recover, the pastor said. A handful of young girls walked out crying after the service. And loved ones appeared stricken as they slowly filed after Kaylee's casket, following funeral rites conducted by Roberts.
Officials have ruled that an electrical malfunction caused the fire. Ramos' mother, Gina, said in an interview last week that she believed Kaylee had followed behind her as the family left the burning house at 3 a.m. Monday. But when she exited with her two other children, Kaylee was not there.
Gina Ramos, 39, said she was unable to return because of the thick smoke even as she heard Kaylee screaming above.
Firefighters had said they arrived less than five minutes after the first report of fire,
but were unable to get to the third story bedroom in time.
The tragedy moved Father Roberts to cry during the service.
"That's the first time I've seen a priest in tears," Shan Pavitt, Julianne's religious
education teacher, said.
Roberts presided over the ceremony with Deacon Stephen Sansevere. For Roberts, it was a final service for a girl he had known practically since birth.
"I baptized this precious little girl," Roberts said. "Today, I blessed her again and
asked the Lord to bring her home safe to the kingdom of heaven."
During the Mass, Roberts entreated, "We raise up this mortal body to the protection and comfort of the saints. May God watch over Kaylee."
Roberts also performed the committal prayers, a funeral rite, at the end of the service. As he prayed, he sprinkled holy water over the girl's small white coffin. A cross was also laid over the casket during the prayers, which Roberts said was meant to keep Kaylee free from danger under God's guidance.
After the ceremony, Pavitt stood outside the church as mourners lined up for the drive to Old Tennent Cemetery in Manalapan, where Kaylee was to be buried.
Julianne, 11, was home when the fire broke out Monday. She was able to escape safely with her mother, Gina Ramos, and her two-year-old sister Gracie.
"She's putting on a brave face," Pavitt said of Julianne.
Julianne's friends have been a source of support for the young girl, who plans to attend school next week, said Pavitt, of Marlboro.
"She (Julianne) is hanging in there," Pavitt said.
Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com
Kaylee Ramos perished in fire
By Kim Predham • FREEHOLD BUREAU • February 7, 2009
MARLBORO — Young Kaylee Ramos was taken to her final resting place Friday in a small white casket
"Kaylee, may the angels lead you to paradise. . . And may you rest in God's arms
forever," the Rev. Eugene J. Roberts prayed Friday morning as loved ones said farewell to Kaylee, the 12-year-old Freehold girl who died early Monday morning when fire tore through her family's Court Street home.
About 150 people attended an emotional funeral Mass for Kaylee at St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church in Marlboro. Family, friends and members of the Freehold school community, where Kaylee attended sixth grade and her sister Julianne is in fifth grade, filled the church's wooden pews during the service.
The brief ceremony was marked by tears.
Roberts had to pause during the homily to allow Julianne, struggling to breathe, time to recover, the pastor said. A handful of young girls walked out crying after the service. And loved ones appeared stricken as they slowly filed after Kaylee's casket, following funeral rites conducted by Roberts.
Officials have ruled that an electrical malfunction caused the fire. Ramos' mother, Gina, said in an interview last week that she believed Kaylee had followed behind her as the family left the burning house at 3 a.m. Monday. But when she exited with her two other children, Kaylee was not there.
Gina Ramos, 39, said she was unable to return because of the thick smoke even as she heard Kaylee screaming above.
Firefighters had said they arrived less than five minutes after the first report of fire,
but were unable to get to the third story bedroom in time.
The tragedy moved Father Roberts to cry during the service.
"That's the first time I've seen a priest in tears," Shan Pavitt, Julianne's religious
education teacher, said.
Roberts presided over the ceremony with Deacon Stephen Sansevere. For Roberts, it was a final service for a girl he had known practically since birth.
"I baptized this precious little girl," Roberts said. "Today, I blessed her again and
asked the Lord to bring her home safe to the kingdom of heaven."
During the Mass, Roberts entreated, "We raise up this mortal body to the protection and comfort of the saints. May God watch over Kaylee."
Roberts also performed the committal prayers, a funeral rite, at the end of the service. As he prayed, he sprinkled holy water over the girl's small white coffin. A cross was also laid over the casket during the prayers, which Roberts said was meant to keep Kaylee free from danger under God's guidance.
After the ceremony, Pavitt stood outside the church as mourners lined up for the drive to Old Tennent Cemetery in Manalapan, where Kaylee was to be buried.
Julianne, 11, was home when the fire broke out Monday. She was able to escape safely with her mother, Gina Ramos, and her two-year-old sister Gracie.
"She's putting on a brave face," Pavitt said of Julianne.
Julianne's friends have been a source of support for the young girl, who plans to attend school next week, said Pavitt, of Marlboro.
"She (Julianne) is hanging in there," Pavitt said.
Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com
So sad and way too much information.