Freyberg student remembered

Much loved: The late Erica D'Silva.

By Matthew Gray

It's been nearly a year since popular Erica D'Silva died after a crosscountry training run at her beloved Freyberg Community School.

Her funeral was three days later on November 3, her 11th birthday.

Friends and family are now getting ready to mark the first anniversary of Erica's death with a mass at the Holy Cross Church in Henderson.

That service will also be held on her birthday.

"Time," her father Mark says, "has passed by so quickly."

The D'Silvas, originally from Mumbai in India, have been touched by the community support they have received since Erica's untimely death.

They've maintained contact with her old school and gathered there on September 1 when mayor Bob Harvey unveiled a plaque by a newly planted tree - both commemorating their daughter and sister's short life.

Erica was born in Dubai where Mark worked for a computer company and his wife Ingrid was a teacher. She was the couple's second daughter after Maxine, now 15 and a student at St Dominic's College in Henderson.

The family came to New Zealand in 2001 and third daughter Jessica, 3, was born. They settled at Te Atatu South and Erica was enrolled just a short distance away at Freyberg.

She quickly made her mark at the school, assisting in the special needs unit and helping younger children with their reading.

"She really loved it there and had loads of friends," Mark says.

"She was so happy with her school."

Disaster struck last year when the horse-mad youngster finished her run on October 30 and lay down to rest.

An autopsy revealed a heart condition that doctors believe developed while Erica was in the womb.

"It was something we'd never known about," Mark says.

"No one had ever picked up on it and due to over-exertion she met life's destiny."

Erica's family continue to mourn their loss.

But their burden has been made a little lighter by the many emails and letters from friends, supporters and complete strangers, especially those in their newly adopted homeland.

They're here to stay.

"Yes, a tragedy has happened in our lives," Mark says.

"But we made the decision to come here six years ago and it still stands.

"We would really like to thank so many people here in New Zealand for keeping us going with their good wishes and prayers."

Erica's service will be held at the Holy Cross Church in Henderson on November 3 at 7pm.