Cecilia DEVINE aka Kristen PEARSON - TRAGICALLY LOCATED DECEASED

 

 

  Have you seen this woman?

Cecilia Devine remembered as an extraordinary musical talent and a committed and loyal friend.

With a voice that soared to heaven and a smile that could light up any room, Cecilia Devine was born for the stage.

Her musical talents left many in awe, but the gift of friendship that she shared with so many was also celebrated in equal measure at her funeral on Thursday.

"She had the ability to connect with anybody wherever she went. She could engage with the homeless or the Queen of England and that simply didn't matter to her. That is such a true gift and that is why she had so many friends and that is proven by the turnout here today," her friend Kelly said.

Many of those who attended the Lake Macquarie Memorial Park service wore bright colours as a tribute to their 42-year-old friend's extraordinary talent and personality.

But most were still coming to grips with the reality that Ms Devine, known to many as Kristen Pearson, had been murdered sometime between when she disappeared last September and when her body was found in the Blue Mountains in March.

"We are here in a state of disbelief and also in a state of great hurt," Minister Dr Kenneth Brown said.

"For those close to Kristen this day has been a long time coming. Not that I'm saying you wanted this day to come, but for those of you who were close to Kristen it has been a horrendous journey to get to this spot." 
 

Ms Devine's friend Kelly urged those present to use their shared loss to make the world safer.
 

"Take a moment to have a thought for the family and friends of other women who have been stolen in this way," she said.
 

"Together communities, families and friends need to look out for each other and we need to hold hands. This tragedy will not define who she was to us. Her legacy was unconditional love and she loved every person in this room and we will return that love by never stop loving her."Ms Devine's family and friends released coloured balloons as a final gesture to the woman whose life had touched so many at the conclusion of the service. 

Strike Force Eking, comprising local police and homicide squad detectives has been launched to investigate Ms Devine's disappearance and murder.
 

Detectives are presently piecing together Ms Devine's final movements.
 

Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.