RELATIVES and friends gathered at the Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston on July 21 to thank God for the life of Rushell Fisher.

Laying down the body of 21-year-old down was one of the most painful occasions for her family members and relatives.

Fisher was diagnosed with lupus - a skin cancer, most commonly found in women, which research has proven attacks normal, healthy tissues with symptoms that affect the joints, kidneys, skin, blood cells, heart and lungs, when she was only a teenager at 16 years. Fisher died on June 30.

As the mourners gathered in the Chapel to observe her remains, their tears flowed uncontrollably.

Before her admission to University Hospital of the West Indies, the young woman was on a journey of establishing herself in the hospitality industry of Jamaica. She was enrolled in training at the Runaway Bay HEART Trust Training Institute located at the Cardiff Hall, Runaway Bay, St Ann.

Amidst the heartache, pressure and pain the mourners who gathered at the Chapel were embracing which her loss recently brought into their lives, most held their composure during the procession for the service.

Her schoolmates of the institution she attended were the first scheduled to offer tribute. Their first tribute was conducted in the form of a dance. That was followed by a group compiled tribute written by her classmates for the academic year 2011-2012, which was read by her classmates, Steffan Stewart.

"Rushell we find it so hard to believe that you are gone. Rushell you are gone and it doesn't seem real. We miss you so much," Stewart said as he began reading the tribute.

"We were so happy to have shared one cafeteria, one classroom and one dorm room. You were a leader who never became a follower," he added before describing her as being a "superb" and "elegant" young woman.

Stewart went on to add that her fellow classmates say they will miss her smile. Her smile was something they always looked forward to seeing when they boarded for training at Runaway Bay HEART. He further reflected on her good and exemplary habits which made her a true inspiration to all her classmates.

"I am building a new address in Heaven. It is located on an exclusive estate behind the pearly gates. There, there is no more heartache and pain," Fisher's close friend Annette Hall said of her during her tribute.

"Life was a gift; she accepted it. Life was a game; she played it. Life is a sacrifice; she gave it. Life is love; she gave in abundance," she added.

On behalf of the family and relatives, her aunt, Marlene Graham and uncle, Gregory Simms, both offered their words of remembrance of their beloved niece.

Simms hailed Fisher for being a respectful teenager who he could have a meaningful conversation with, especially when the conversation surrounded the controversial topic of politics.

"Rushell loved politics and that was a commoner between Rushell and I. She was always giving it to me the young people way. She gave her opinion straight as it was. When the Government was going to win (in December), she said to me 'Uncle, I am sorry Mommy is not going to be around to see this victory'," Simms said as he reflected on the good times he shared with Fisher last December.

Fisher, was predeceased by her mother yesterday.

Graham added that Fisher was a "determined and strong" young woman who embraced her illness and never used it as a tool to shorten her achievements in life, either academically or otherwise.

"She was determined to go to Runaway Bay HEART. She was determined and strong and never complained and carried on as long as she could. She was a big sister at home and school. After her mother's death, she was strong for her father and siblings," Graham said.

"Rushell you have left so much to cherish," she said before closing.

Fisher was buried at Dovecot Memorial Park.