A mother who tragically lost her husband and five children in a house fire had to leave their funeral in tears as she was unable to get through the eulogy.
Samantha Stephenson lost her children Zackary, Harrison, Kyza, Koah, and Nickolas, along with their father, Wayne Godinet last month.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the house fire took place on Russell Island, situated off the southern coast of Brisbane.
Wayne's courageous attempt to rescue his children within the engulfed residence tragically ended in the worst possible outcome when the second story of the building collapsed.
Witnesses say that Wayne held the children tight as the building collapsed around them, as he attempted to shield them from the flames.
The service for the deceased took place at the Eco Memorial Park in Stapylton, a traditional Maori ceremony that drew approximately 200 mourners. However, the grief-stricken mother, who had intended to deliver a eulogy alongside her sister Christina, found herself unable to do so, per the Courier Mail.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Christina said: "This room is filled with a sorrow so deep, there are no words to describe it. Everyone here today was looking forward to watching these five little boys grow up to become men … but along with their loving father, they were taken way too soon, leaving us to come to grips with this great loss."
Reflecting on the family dynamic, Christina recounted that Samantha already had Zack and Harry when she met Wayne, but he wholeheartedly embraced the boys, becoming their loving father. "A protector of his family, Wayne's commitment knew no bounds," she added.
Paying tribute to each of the children individually, she revealed that Zach was involved in soccer, basketball, and guitar playing, all while expressing his creativity through poetry. He was known for "radiating kindness" and diligently protecting his younger siblings.
Harry, on the other hand, was a gentle and quiet child who cherished outings to the park with his friends, displaying an unshakable fascination with the moon and the stars.
The twins, Kyza and Koah, displayed distinct personalities. Kyza was known for his boundless energy and his unwavering protective nature toward Koah.
Nicky, the youngest of the siblings, often played the role of the ringleader when it came to mischievous adventures with his brothers, his ever-present cheeky grin giving him away. To his mother, he was affectionately known as her "partner in crime."
Despite the heartrending loss, Christina reassured the mourners that Wayne's love for his children transcended the physical world. "I know Wayne was watching over his boys and loved them," she said. "He will remain an endless presence in Sam's life, and you'll watch over her too."
Another sister, Angela, offered her own eulogy for her nephews and brother-in-law. Through her tears, she said: "I don't understand how this could happen to such innocent beings who grew their wings too soon. To all my boys, to all our boys, nothing will ever fill this chasm of grief. I think I will miss you forever like the sun misses the moon and the stars as it rises again."
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific tragedy.
