News Americas, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Tues. Feb. 20, 2018: A Caribbean roots Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student, who was among 17 who were slaughtered by crazed gunman Nikolas Cruz in the Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday massacre of February 14, 2018, is set to be laid to rest tomorrow, Friday. Feb. 23rd.
Helena Freja Ramsay, 17, of Coral Springs, Florida, will be laid to rest following a church service on Friday, Feb. 23rd following a service from 1 p.m. at the Church by the Glades, 400 Lakeview Dr., Coral Springs, FL 33071. A viewing was held on Thursday night, Feb. 22nd at the same church from 5 – 9 p.m.
Helena, according to reports obtained by the Jamaican Consulate in Miami and confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) was of Jamaican and Trinidadian heritage. Her mother is reportedly Jamaican and her father is Trinidadian.
Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith in a statement said, “The Jamaican government regrets to learn that 17 year-old Helena Ramsey, one of the 17 young victims of the tragic mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was of Jamaican ancestry.
“This information comes following constant communication between the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami and the Country and Federal offices.
“We extend deepest condolences to our Jamaican brothers and sisters and the families and friends of all victims as they mourn the loss of their loved ones. We continue to pray that the students, faculty and families who have been affected will find strength to overcome this traumatic and horrific experience.”
Helena was set to start college next year. A family member, in a lengthy Facebook post, called her a “smart, kind hearted and thoughtful person.”
“Though she was somewhat reserved, she had a relentless motivation towards her academic studies, and her soft warm demeanor brought the best out in all who knew her. She was so brilliant and witty, and I’m still wrestling with the idea that she is actually gone,” her relative, Curtis Page, posted on Facebook.
To pay tribute to Helena, leave a note to the family here.
The 16 other victims of the mass shooting were:
Venezuela-born Joaquin Oliver – 17
Alaina Petty, 14
Jamie Guttenberg, 14
Cara Lougren, 14
Martin Duque, 14
Alyssa Alhadeff, 14
Gina Montalto, 14
Alexander Schachter, 14
Peter Wang, 15
Luke Hoyer, 15
Carmen Schentrup, 16
Nicholas Dowret, 17
Meadow Pollock, 18
Scott Beigel, 35
Aaron Feis, 37
Christopher Hickson, 49
