MARSHA Marie Parham was remembered as a woman of great substance who had an unreserved belief in her friends during a thanksgiving service in memory of her life at the Holy Cross Church in Half Way Tree, St Andrew last Friday.

Cantor, Kevin Williams, offered the first tribute with his song selection, ‘It is well with my soul’.

His tribute was followed by Shermaine Clemetson-Parham, sole sister-in-law of the deceased.

“You always believed in yourself and encouraged us to do the same. You were always very pleasant and offering support, and you always encouraged us,” Clemetson-Parham said. Her words were echoed by close friends of the deceased. Some were very shaken up by the loss of their young friend, whose end they termed ‘untimely’.

The two nieces of Parham, Victoria and Anna-Kay Parham, offered tribute to their beloved aunt by doing a rendition of The Prayer popularised by Yolanda Adams.

Parham was a 35-year-old woman blessed with unique laughter and humility. She died peacefully on April 5 at her home after an illness.

“I admired her as a young girl who set off to achieve all her dreams and aspirations. Despite all the difficulty she faced in the time of illness she knew where she wanted to go.

She shared with everyone…only the Lord gives and only he takes away,” Dawn Johnson, close friend of the deceased and the Parham family said as she offered her tribute.

Tanya Wright, a close colleague and friend to Parham gave the last tribute.

“Our friendship was tested. We understood each other. She was a jovial person and she had a unique laugh,” Wright said before reflecting on the moments they laughed together.

“Marsha loved people and people loved her too. She was a down-to-earth person. She loved to dance. She never placed anything at place value but challenged everything before her,” Wright said before breaking down in tears.

“She would laugh uncontrollable. She was a constant support for those who needed her in good times and in bad. She was always there to offer moral support. Marsha loved life,” she said.

Wright said that Parham always expressed her warm and sincere love for those around her. Unlike many people, Parham always expressed her love for other through the three words ‘I love you’ and greeting cards.

“Marsha was a genuine person… She was a proactive woman who tried to be very productive,” Wright added.

She said Marsha’s spirit during her illness encouraged many mourners, some of whom she was happy to see present at the thanksgiving service.

The tributes were followed by a gathering hymn City of God, ceremony of the paschal candle, liturgy of the word, gospel acclamation and the homily. Williams offered solos: The Holy City, ‘Mother At Your Feet Is Kneeling’ and ‘On Eagles Wings’.

She leaves behind parents Veronica and Frank, her brother, sister-in-law, nieces, other relatives and friends.