FAMILY and friends gathered to unveil a memorial bench for a teenager who was tragically killed in a crash.
Olivia Alkir, who came from the Efenechtyd area, died in a crash on Thursday, June 27 2019.
In February, Family, friends and neighbours gathered in the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels church, Efenechtyd, for the presentation of the bench and to celebrate what would have been her 18th birthday.
Olivia’s mother, Joanna Alkir, read one of her own poems. Picture: Charles Henshaw
A service was held where Reverend Richard Cartergave read an extract from a poem by Rumi, a famous 13th Century Persian poet.
Olivia’s mother, Joanna Alkir, responded by reading one of her own poems.
Friend Charles Henshaw said: "Olivia was tragically killed in a car crash in June last year.
"Olivia’s parents extended a sincere invitation to everyone to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Olivia’s birth.
The bench is near Olivia's grave. Picture: Charles Henshaw
"As people dispersed from the churchyard, many entered the church to sign Olivia’s Book of Remembrance, light a candle and spend a little time to think about her and reflect upon her life."
The memorial bench is positioned near Olivia's grave.
A plaque on the bench reads: Olivia Berna Alkir 2002 - 2019, Beautiful inside out, beloved child of our village.
Olivia was a rear seat passenger in a Ford Fiesta in the crash on Thursday, June 27 2019, which happened on the B5105 between Efenechtyd and Ruthin at about 7.30pm.
The deputy head girl at Ysgol Brynhyfryd.
At the time of Oliva's death, her family paid an emotional tribute.
“Olivia was kind, thoughtful and excited by the prospect of going to University to study architectural engineering," they said.
"Olivia worked as a life guard and planned to fund her studies by continuing this. She was a natural ‘water baby’ having spent her summers in her father’s native Turkey where she would spend the days swimming in the sea.
"She had a uniquely unbreakable bond with her adoring parents and was cherished by her cousins, friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
"Olivia was beautiful inside and out and the world was a better place because of her.”
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