THE Rev Helen Hall, vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Wales, led the funeral service for Miss Grender and Kelsey-May.
She said: “I think everyone was very shocked at the time that something so terrible could happen where they live, but that’s always the case when anything horrible happens.
“There was just an overwhelming sense of sadness that two lives with so much potential had been cut short.
“It’s obviously something that is not going to be forgotten. Lliswerry is a very positive community and a good place to live. I think the overwhelming majority of people are determined to keep it that way.”
As well as coming together to pay tribute to Miss Grender, the community also joined forces to fundraise for her family.
Friends and well-wishers held bucket collections to pay for funeral wreaths and an announcement in the Argus, and also held bag-packs in local supermarkets.
Hundreds of balloons were released outside Newport’s Riverfront Theatre two weeks after Miss Grender’s death in her memory.
Friends and family gathered on the riverside, hugging each other and crying during the emotional tribute.
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