Marin Evans (8 May 1991 - 13 Aug 2016)

Thanks so much to all relatives and friends who have been such a support to us through this most difficult of times. Specially for those who missed part or all of the funeral proceedings,here are copies of statements and tributes made.

Thanksgiving and farewell by her father Peter at Exeter Crematorium:

MARIN
I am standing here to give thanks to God for my daughter Marin, and to say goodbye.
God gave us a daughter. She was flawed, but she was perfect.
Marin had a happy childhood, but struggled with multiple identity issues as a teenager. She was a wounded soldier, who had fought and defeated anger. She has now been cruelly taken from us.
We thank you God for our daughter Marin, and the time we shared together. In the words of God’s servant Job:
“The Lord giveth, and The Lord taketh away, Blessed be the name of The Lord.”

That is the thanks part. Now to say goodbye.

She was mine, but not for long. I had to let her fly. When she left home, I said goodbye, but that was not what I meant. What I meant was “Au-revoir”. I was looking forward to the delight of reconnecting and developing an adult relationship as the years passed.

If we spend today dwelling on the past, we fail to truly live today.
Marin had hope and faith in the future and would wish the same for her young friends.
But this is not enough. Marin liked tattoos. She had one on her wrist “Carpe Diem”. Seize the day.

Living is about what we do today, about action:
work,
making choices,
and love in action: a kind word, a loving touch, a warm embrace.

Our time with Marin was short. Each day is short. Our time too, on this earth is short.

I was not ready to say Good-bye, but today I have to. I will recite, maybe even sing, the lullabyes I sang for her as a little girl:

Hey Lily-Marin, how d’you do
Hey Lily-Marin, we love you
Hey Lily-Marin, off to sleep
Hey Lily-Marin, you count sheep

Hey Lily-Marin, you’re the one
Hey Lily-Marin, you’re such fun
Hey Lily-Marin, close your eye
Hey Lily-Marin, Marin bye-bye


Tribute read on behalf of Velma by Stacy Tarradath at the church:

MARIN
There are so many words which could easily describe Marin:
Stubborn
Fun-loving
Loyal
kind
beautiful.
Marin came to England with us around the age of five and began primary school shortly after. Our family was in Lesotho, Southern Africa, where her dad Peter was based for his job.
By this time, Marin was used to playing in another language and found it a challenge to adapt to new friends and to English as the language of play.
A naturally quiet person, her primary school teachers mistook her reluctance to answer questions as a language problem, but the young person was working out that silence was rather useful! As she grew, her friends were well aware that there was a lively side to her, as I was once told that she was “the life and soul of the party”!
Marin found regimented school, teachers rules and demands hard to cope with and ended up being home schooled. She quite enjoyed this, especially as it was her mother’s freedom which was now restricted! Our free spirited daughter went on to St. Petrock's College and after completing her Level two studies secured an apprenticeship with the Tui Travel Group.
In her new role as an Activities Instructor, she worked with youngsters at Universities around the country looking after foreign students, while they improved their English. This was a happy time for Marin as she joined in fencing, abseiling, archery and swimming. Then there was a winter season working in the French Alps.
Marin always had style, I gave her a beautiful coat but it was not “her” style; so she wore it around the farm when the family were rounding up sheep!
Friends were always important to Marin and she moved to Okehampton to be near her mates. She was fortunate to have travelled to many countries but told anyone who cared to listen, that she wanted to go to New York. The fact is, and what she did not often reveal, was that she had already been there - twice!
As with so many children, their lives are in compartments. Friends, family, work, leisure, independent living. These were all coming together for Marin. We will all grieve in our own way for a life so cruelly cut short.
We love you Marin.
(Read by Marin’s cousin Stacy on behalf of her mother)


Poem WHY, composed by David Evans, and read by him at the church:

WHY

Dearest Marin
You were taken from us
By a bitter blow
Why, we’ll never know
Everybody you knew
Thought the world of you
You could be inscrutable and incorrigible
But you were loyal and quiet
You could be crazy and stubborn
But neat and tidy
And a bit of a foodie
You had inner and outer beauty
Including style and grace
And when you turned on that smile
You lit up the room with your pretty face
You comforted friends
When they were down
Everybody just could not stop
Loving you Marin
No matter what you did
You knew there was life beyond Okie
You were always going to fly
You will be in our Hearts
And Minds forevermore Marin

Rest in Peace, beautiful Marin

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So many memories of sweet Marin that we will keep near and dear to us. It was a blessing to see her grow up and blossom into a beautiful young woman. We grieve her physical loss but will always honour her.

Love you Marin. ❤️ Thinking of you x

To Peter, Velma and Casper; Please remember that this pain will go away but your memories of her will be forever. God's Blessing at this difficult time.

So tragic to lose such a young, beautiful person. I will remember her cheeky smile, and her enthusiasm for fun and adventure.