Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The memories of his infectious smile and her bubbly personality were enough to light up the Boulevard Baptist Church Thursday morning, as loved ones and friends said their final goodbyes to Andre and Carolyn Janniere.

The Jannieres were brutally murdered at their home in St Andrew on March 24. Their bloodied bodies were found by their nine-year-old daughter, who slept through the ordeal with her brother in a separate room.

Tributes flowed freely in the church, which was full to its capa-city, forcing scores of mourners to stand outside and watch the proceedings. They were remembered as loving caring, witty, creative and humorous.

When young Zara read a poem, which she dedicated to her parents, several persons in the church were moved to tears.

Delroy Morgan, who delivered a tribute on behalf of the board of directors at Petrojam, said Janniere's passing had been a great loss to the company where he served for 20 years. At the time of his death, he was an accounting officer.

Mrs Janniere joined the staff of the University of Technology last August, where she taught in the Bachelor of Science Nursing Programme.

Mission to fulfil

Mordea Dinnall of the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences said Mrs Janniere approached her work with enthusiasm.

"Carolyn was just raring to go. It's as if she had a mission to fulfil," Dinnall said.

Nursing students took turns as they stood guard at the couple's caskets.

Rory Jardine, who brought tribute on behalf of the Dover Motorcycle Racers, said Janniere, who competed at Dover for 20 years, was one of the better riders that Dover had produced.

"He ate, slept and lived motor-cycle racing," Jardine said, adding that the riders were blessed and better off having had a chance to know him.

Monday is a big day for motor racing in Jamaica, where all roads will lead to Dover Raceway in St Ann.

"We should be preparing for this meet. Instead, we are paying tributes and saying our last goodbyes," Jardine said, as he tried to hold back the tears.

In her tribute to the Jannieres, Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica, urged persons who have information about the dastardly act to tell what they know.

"Someone saw, someone heard, my question is what will we do?" asked Allwood-Anderson.

She added: "I am also begging you, do not behave as persons who see no evil, hear no evil. Time to take a stance."

Emil Janniere said his brother dubbed himself the godfather of the family, who ensured that all things were in place.

"Let us all remember him for his kindness and the assistance he has given us all," he said.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com