The late Monika Koroidrekel­evu’s story is an emotional one to share.

These were the sentiments shared by her mother Torika Ko­roidrekelevu after she buried her eldest daughter at Volivoli, Siga­toka, yesterday.

Members of the Nadroga Rugby Union including the women’s and men’s teams also attended her fu­neral. The 19-year-old Nadroga centre had died on Sunday morn­ing at her mum’s older sister’s residence after allegedly sustain­ing an injury at an ANZ Marama Championship rugby match in June at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

Speaking to SUNsport, mum Ko­roidrekelevu said her daughter was known as the quiet girl with a golden heart among her fam­ily members, rugby friends and school mates in Volivoli village, Sigatoka Methodist College and the rugby fraternity.

She recalled how, in her last moments, Monika was remorse­ful about the wrong decision she made to continue playing rugby despite her parents’ plea for her not to, with tears flowing.

“Last week on her deathbed she was asking us to forgive her, say­ing: if she had listened to us she would not have been lying in bed,” an emotional Koroidrekelevu said.

“She’s the eldest of our eight children, four girls and four boys. Monika looks after them well.

“My Monika is a darling to eve­ryone through her loving attitude and respectable presence. She’s known for her good heart, her school mates are gathered here to­day because they miss that.”

Koroidrekelevu added that al­though she misses her daughter she is at peace.

“I miss her so much, I miss how she insists in doing everything by herself and always willing to help others,” she said.

“I’m part of the Sisters Keepers. I would tell her that we are going to Suva on Friday and will return on Sunday. The response from Mon­ika will always be, “don’t worry mum.”

“She was a responsible big sister who was always eager to babysit, feed, bath and see that her siblings sleep on time. That’s Monika.

“She was a passionate rugby player. Last year she was in Year 13, she had enrolled at the Univer­sity of the South Pacific to do her computer studies this semester.”

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