'You were and are my best friend. See you soon': Widow's tribute to shark attack victim at church where they wed just three weeks ago
- 'You, above all people, knew how hard I found it to say goodbye to others and so I know you will understand if I don't say it'
- Widow spoke of her 'cherished' memories from the honeymoon
Just three weeks ago, it had played host to the happiest day of her life.
But yesterday Gemma Redmond made a traumatic return to the church where she was married to lay to rest her husband Ian, who was killed by a shark on their honeymoon in the Seychelles.
The 27-year-old – clutching a bouquet identical to the one she held for her marriage – gave a heartfelt tribute to her ‘soul mate’, speaking courageously about their all-too-brief ten days as man and wife.
Tragedy: Gemma Redmond is comforted by her parents (left) at the funeral, which was held at the same church where she married husband Ian just three weeks earlier (right)
Final journey: Ian Redmond's fuenral procession at St Michael's Parish Church, in Dalton near Wigan, Lancashire
As a piper led the funeral procession into St Michael and All Angels Church in Dalton, Lancashire, Mrs Redmond struggled to contain her emotions and had to be supported by her parents, David and Coleta Houghton.
Wearing what was thought to be her engagement ring on a chain around her neck, she read to the 300-strong congregation a tribute she called A Letter to My Husband. The primary school teacher described her wedding as ‘quite simply the most wonderful day of my life’.
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And she said of her late husband: ‘You were so much more than I could have ever wished for in a husband and memories of that day are just some of the richest and warmest I have for you. When we danced, you never took your eyes off me for a second. I felt so much love from you.’
Mrs Redmond recalled how she had met her husband at university in Manchester nine years ago and he proposed on Christmas Eve 2009.
Devastated: Gemma Redmond attends the funeral of her husband Ian who was tragically killed on their honeymoon
Tributes: Messages of condolence are left by the hotel where the couple stayed and the British High Commission
Pain: Gemma is clasped tightly by her parents David and Coleta Houghton
A software developer by trade, Mr Redmond also enjoyed rock climbing and mountain biking. Lately he had devoted himself to renovating a cottage in the Lancashire village of Roby Mill, where the couple were to live.
But on August 16, the 30-year-old suffered fatal injuries in an attack by what is thought to have been a great white shark. He had been snorkelling off Anse Lazio beach on Praslin Island, one of the best beaches in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
Despite the tragedy, his widow told yesterday’s service – conducted by the same vicar who married the couple – how she managed to cherish memories of their time together on the honeymoon.
‘It was a lovely adventure,’ she said.
Smiling newlyweds Ian and Gemma on a beach in the Seychelles during their honeymoon, days before the fatal attack
‘Each and every time you went swimming and snorkelling and I watched you, I could never quite believe that I was married to you. You were the most handsome and perfect man I have ever seen and I always longed for you to come back out of the sea and be back with me.’
Thanking him for his work on their cottage, she promised: ‘I will finish it for us and live there with you in my heart.’
And ending her tribute, she said: ‘You, above all people, knew how hard I found it to say goodbye to others and so I know you will understand if I don’t say it.
‘What I will say instead is “See you soon!” I’m looking forward to it so very much.’
Honeymoon destination: Anse Lazio beach (left) where the attack took place. Right, a shark killed by hunters which is believed to be responsible for the attack
Memorial service: Members of the island's close-knit community held a service of remembrance for the IT specialist from Lancashire
A LETTER TO MY HUSBAND: GEMMA REDMOND'S TRIBUTE TO IAN
'To My Darling Husband Ian, I love you with all my heart, I always have done and I always will do.
'It is so hard to express just how much you mean to me, but I so want to try. I want to respond to the beautiful words that you put into your card and speech on our wedding day.
'When we first met each other almost nine years ago, I remembered being overwhelmed by a desire to become a part of your world. You were so full of life, exciting, fun and interesting and you remained so until the day we lost you.
'I have always felt so lucky that you chose me to share in your life experiences and I am so grateful for some exceptionally special memories and times.
'I remember our first date at Manchester Art Gallery. We held hands constantly. I always loved the feeling of entwining my fingers between yours.
'I remember so many happy times spent climbing and bouldering. You would climb with your friends and I would watch. You would always check if I was OK and I always was because I was watching one of your many talents with pride. I was in awe of how fearless and enthusiastic you were with so many things.
'I remember the extensive interests we shared, like art and films and the outdoors. Days out to places like Chatsworth sculpture exhibition, the cinema and the Lake District, which may have seemed ordinary to others, I treasured because it meant that I had found someone like me. You were my soul mate and my best friend.
'I remember seeing you kneeling on my doorstep the night that you proposed to me. You had a single red rose, a bottle of champagne and a giant engagement ring that you had constructed from wire and tinsel. You melted my heart and your actions epitomised your thoughtful and caring nature.
'I remember the exciting times that we spent working on our new home together - painting, lifting flagstones, demolishing porches, demolishing rooms - any skill that you put your mind to you achieved.
'You were so intelligent with a great eye for detail. Your dedication to make our home special and right and comfortable for us knew no bounds.
'I want to thank you for working tirelessly on our perfect home. I promise I will finish it for us and live there with you in my heart.
'I remember how you learned to dance with me for our wedding day. You were so good at it and put 100% into it - just like you did with everything. When we danced, you never took your eyes off me for a second. Thank you - I felt so much love for you.
'I remember our beautiful wedding day. It was quite simply the most wonderful day of my life. You were so much more than I could have ever wished for in a husband and memories from that day are just some of the richest and warmest I will have of you.
'I remember the precious times we shared on our honeymoon. We were having such a happy time. It was a lovely adventure and we were enjoying experiencing new things.
'We felt so at peace, so relaxed and were so excited about the future. It was truly romantic. Each and every time you went swimming or snorkelling and I watched you, I could never quite believe that I was married to you.
'You were the most handsome and perfect man I have ever seen and I always longed for you to come back out of the sea and be back with me.
'Ian, there just aren't enough superlatives to describe you. At work where you excelled and dedicated so much of your time, they described you as the 'gold standard' of developers. But you were also the 'gold standard' of men - always smiling, always finding time for the family and friends that you loved so dearly, you were never cross, just kind.
'Above all you were the 'gold standard' of husbands. Amazing, courageous, inspiring, entertaining, patient and loving. You gave me such confidence and strength. You filled me with such pride.
'I've said it before and I'll say it again - you were and are my best friend. We could talk about anything and everything with each other - laugh, cry or just be quiet.
'You completed me and are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
'Whilst I cannot believe that you are gone - I am in shock and hurting so very much - I am comforted and consoled by the rich tapestry of memories that we formed over our nine years together. Thank you.
'I promise you will never ever be forgotten and I will miss you so very much. You, above all people, knew how hard I found it to say goodbye to others and so I know you will understand if I don't say it. What I will say instead is 'See you soon!'. I'm looking forward to it so very much!
'All my love now, forever and always.
'Your wife, Gemma.'
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