Family remembers Skye

The NEWS met with Skye’s family last week before they left for London.

At her memorial service on August 29, Malvern’s Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church was packed to capacity by those whose lives Skye had touched.

She was described as a loving, special girl who always had the time to listen to anyone.

Skye and her twin sister Courtney were visiting South Africa for three weeks when the accident occurred.

Her mother, Miranda, said the ordeal has been horrific.

Skye was born in Kensington and attended Holy Rosary School until grade 2.

That was when the family moved to Dowerglen for the two girls to be closer to school.

From grade 3 the two girls attended St Andrew’s School for Girls and the family then moved to Senderwood, Bedfordview.

The family emigrated to the United Kingdom after Skye’s father, William, accepted a job offer in the United Kingdom.

“The European opportunity gave the girls and Kyle, Skye and Courtney’s older brother, a chance to meet people from all walks of life,” said Miranda.

The move also gave the two girls a chance to travel, something they loved to do.

Skye had only been attending Beaconsfield School for one year when she was elected as a prefect.

She was looking forward to attending Henley College, where she had been provisionally accepted to study criminal psychology.

“Her acceptance to Henley College was based on her results from the previous year. She was so nervous and every time I spoke to her while she was in South Africa she would tell me how worried she was,” Miranda said.

“We all knew she would pass the year but she was still worried,” she said

The school year for UK students starts in September.

Skye would have received her General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) results on August 22, the day after her accident.

“On August 22 we went to Beaconsfield School to get the girls’ results. Skye had passed with all the marks she needed to attend Henley College,” said a tearful Miranda.

The UK school held a memorial service for Skye last week, while in South Africa, the St Andrew’s School for Girls will place a plaque on their wall of remembrance for her.

“Her friends from both countries were devastated after hearing the news that Skye was no longer with us,” said Miranda.

“Skye was well-loved and really made a difference to everyone she met,” she said.

Miranda said that Skye’s choice to study criminal psychology was fitting for the person she was.

“When we asked her why she wanted to study criminal psychology, she said she wanted to give people a second chance. It was just who she was,” said Miranda.

Close family friend, Mrs Cindy Bramhall, said from a young age Skye would listen and try to help everyone she spoke to.

“She was so well-loved by everyone. We are all better for having known this special young woman,” said Cindy.

Skye’s ashes were equally shared between South Africa and the UK.

“As a parent, it is a difficult decision to make. Do we leave our daughter here in South Africa, or do we take her with us – away from her home country. We decided to leave half of Skye’s ashes in the church in Malvern and take the other half with us,” said Miranda.