Family members want to see good come from the tragic deaths ofShanann Watts, 34, her daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, and her unborn son Nico,Fr. John Forbes said at their funeralon Saturday.
Forbes led the traditional Catholic funeral massat Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with scripture, prayer, songs and rituals.The funeral was live streamed on the Boles Funeral Home & Crematory Facebook page Saturday afternoon.
Forbes said Shanann's mother described her daughter as a "fireball" who worked hard to be an exceptional wife and mother and make a difference in people's lives, and her daughters as bringing light to those around them, especially their grandparents and uncle.
In a letter read by Forbes at the funeral,Shanann's mother Sandra Onorati Rzucek wrote to her daughter and grandchildren that"Mom, Nonna, loves you with all her soul."
And she prayed for those who have reached out or cried with them, and thanked God.
"I can only pray to you that this tragedy changes everyone's soul to be close to you. Please continue to hold us all in your love and protection."
Forbes alsoread letters fromShanann's fatherFrank Rzucek and brother Frankie Rzucek.
Frank Rzucek wrote about how he had so much to say but would keep his letter short.
"Daddy loves you," he wrote. "You are a wonderful daughter and a great mother."
He called Shanann "nothing but pure love, always caring for everyone," and he said she would always be "Daddy's little girl."
And to his grandchildren, he told them that they could always make"Pop Pop" have days filled with smiles, adding that he would take care of Celeste's truck and that Bella would "always be my silver bells."
Frankie Rzucekwrote in his letter that he always knew his sister would be successful and how tough it was to have her and her daughters live so far away and that he couldn't be there to protect them.
He shared how happy and ready Shanann was to be a mother, and that "she was my mom times 10 whether either one of themwanted to admit it."
Shanann's girls were well-dressed and well-mannered, he said, and she taught them to be brave and independent, like herself. He called her the "perfect role model" growing up.
"She was ready to take on the world, and we know she did," he said.
Shanann's husband Christopher Watts, 33, is accused of killing herand their two children,Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, after Shanann returned from a business trip in the early morning hours ofAug. 13.
Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant at the time, and Forbessaid Shanann's family members want to see a law passed to protect unborn children like their grandson Nico.
The case has gained national attention — the funeral livestream attracted more than 7,000 viewers as people shared their well-wishes and thoughts to the family.
Christopher Watts has been formally charged with nine felonies, including three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree murder of a child under the age of 12 by a person in a position of trust, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.
While Shanann's family members "want to see justice done," Forbes said that they weren't seeking vengeance and death, rather justice and light.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.
Reporter Saja Hindi covers public safety, courts and accountability. Follow her on Twitter @BySajaHindi or email her at shindi@coloradoan.com.
Honoring Shanann
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked fordonations in Shanann's honor to the Lupus Foundation of America at 2121 K Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20037-1830,the Frederick Colorado Police Department's Missing Persons Division at PO Box 435 Frederick, CO 80530, or St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
►Update 11/6/2018: Chris Watts pleads guilty to murder of wife Shanann and two daughters.
►Christopher Watts and Shanann Watts: Their friends saw a 'perfect' family. What happened?
►Candlelight vigil for slain Colorado mother, daughters draws hundreds
►Timeline: Key dates in investigation of deaths of Shanann Watts, 2 daughters in Colorado
►Court documents: Shanann Watts' body was found in shallow grave
►Christopher Watts hears charges in slayings of wife, daughters in Colorado
►Colorado murder suspect claims pregnant wife strangled 2 young daughters
