'She must be in heaven'
By MARY NERSESSIAN
Toronto ― Their young voices soared above those in the adult choir, "In our doubt, there is believing. In our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection."
One young boy seated in the church pews turned to ask his mother the unanswerable question, "Why is Cecilia not here today?"
The young girls in front of him came with their parents to commemorate the life of their schoolmate, nine-year-old Cecilia Zhang, whose remains were found in a ravine behind a Mississauga church last weekend, five long months after she was abducted from her parents home.
More than 2,000 attended a memorial service in her honour Saturday at People's Church in north Toronto.
Christina Weng, 8, and sister Victoria, 7, followed the words of a hymn from a leaflet distributed at the beginning of the service. They whispered throughout the ceremony, trying to make sense of young girl's untimely death.
"She must be in heaven," one said to another in a hushed, matter-of-fact tone. "Where do you think we go after we die, the bad place, or heaven?"
Dignitaries including Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino, Mayor David Miller, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman attended the service celebrating the young girl's short life. She would have turned 10 on March 30.
The evangelical church, which seats about 1,800, was filled beyond capacity.
Cecilia's parents, Raymond Zhang and Sherry Xu, walked up the aisle together hand in hand, both dressed in somber black with flowers pinned to the lapels of their black suits.
The hedges outside the church were lined with stuffed animals, bouquets of flowers and wreaths.
"She has awakened in each one of us, the most important motivating force and that is love," said Reverend Daniel Lee, speaking from behind an enlarged photo of Cecilia, white candles illuminating her already-bright dark eyes.
Cecilia was resurrected on screen by Ms. Xu in a video presentation. Photos of her flashed on screen, set to the narration of her mother's voice.
"Cecilia's short life leaves us with an eternal blessing," her mother said. "My beloved Cecilia left us with the most precious memories, no one can take this away from us."
A profound silence followed the last clip, punctuated by the sniffles of mourners who clutched colour-photocopies of one of her homework assignments entitled, "My wishes with a genie," which asks for world peace, and a classroom in her bedroom.
Family friend Moy Wong Tam, said Ms. Xu created the presentation, "so that you will hear about her memories of Cecilia ... because she has spent nine very happy years and her mother would like her to be remembered that way."
It was the father's remembrance of his daughter that drew applause.
"We were hoping and hoping and hoping … you would return to our side, to all the people who cared for you. …You returned to us in this manner, we have lost you," Mr. Zhang said. "Cecilia, Cecilia, in nine short years, you brought us endless joy and blessings."
Mr. Zhang vowed to stay strong because Cecilia would not want to see her parents cry.
But there were both tears and laughter as people remembered the young, bright girl.
"There are no words that adequately express the city's grief. I feel your grief as a father," Mr. Miller said, pausing, overcome with emotion. He took a few seconds to compose himself before continuing.
"Cecilia captured the heart of every Torontonian," he said, his voice breaking. "Sherry and Raymond, you are not alone, our whole city stands with you."
The Mayor announced that a plaque in Cecilia's honour would be placed in the new Toronto children's zoo, which is to open later this year
Following the memorial, Mr. Miller explained with a tear in his eye that it was profoundly difficult for him to accept Cecilia's death. He has an eight-year-old daughter of his own.
"It's times like this that Toronto shows its good side. We are a very strong community and in the midst of this tragedy I think Raymond and Sherry felt greatly supported by the people of Toronto."
He added: "You are people of incredible strength, you have shown such grace and courage."
Mr. McGuinty told Cecilia's parents that "your daughter has touched us all."
Her first-grade teacher, Michael Kositski, told stories that elicited chuckles. He remembered Cecilia as a vivacious child who was not afraid to stand up to him in class.
Whenever he sang her namesake Simon and Garfunkel song, Cecilia, to her, she would put her hands on her hips, and say, "Why do you always sing that song to me…You're very silly."
And Cecilia's fourth-grade teacher, Elizabeth Kafes-Zamanis, said that in the five months following her abduction, she sometimes called out Cecilia's name while taking attendance "in the hope that you would respond."
She never did, a fact difficult to digest for all those who knew her. Especially her parents.
"We will never see you again in this life, we will not get another hug and kiss from you," Mr. Zhang said. "You had to spend five lonely months in the snow. … Today we will wipe our tears dry. No more harm can come to you."
Before they walked out of the church, Cecilia's parents, holding hands firmly, stood in front of the photo of their slain daughter and bowed three times to those who had come to show their support.
The Zhang family is expected to hold a private funeral sometime next week, said Sergeant Todd Moore, a spokesman for Peel Regional Police.
He offered no updates on the investigation into Cecilia's death.
Money can be donated to the Cecilia Zhang Memorial Trust Fund at any TD Canada Trust branch, account # 5204432.
