Vanessa Chinapoo and her three children were inseparable in life-the woman described as a model mother with perfect children, teaching others to love despite having little.

Chinapoo was buried yesterday along with her children, two other relatives and the baby she delivered moments before they all died in a fire that destroyed their home at Mc Bean, Couva, last Saturday.

Chinapoo’s exemplary life was not lost to mourners during the funeral service at the Bethlehem Tabernacle Church at Chase Village, Chaguanas.

Friend Lauren Paterson who worked with Chinapoo at the Home Work Centre- where she volunteered-said Chinapoo enrolled her children there because of her concern for their safety.

’They were always together and so in life, so in death,’ said Paterson.

Six white caskets bearing the remains of the seven were wheeled into the church amid the wailing of relatives.

Chinapoo’s casket bore the body of the child she had carried for eight months.

In the other coffins were the bodies of her children Sarah 13, Chayim 10, Moses 8, niece Chenelle, 22, and and Chenelle’s nephew, two year old Elijah Narine.

Daren Dixon, Chinapoo’s husband, sat behind dark shades in a corner of the church.

He said nothing.

Friend Judy Miller said Chinapoo loved playing the role of mother and even took care of her siblings in the absence of their mother.

’She showed us what love was despite where she was in her life,’ said Miller.

Miller said Dixon, the lone survivor of Saturday’s fire, cared for Chinapoo’s children as his own.

’He ensured that they were well organised for school. He was a true father to them’.

Dianne Sinnanan, principal of the school the children attended-Edinburgh Government Primary School-described the children as all-round pupils who were excelling academically.

’They were never late for school, never indulged in activities that warranted them to be punished,’ she told mourners.

Chinapoo never allowed her pregnancy to stop her from seeking her children’s interest.

’Even when it rained she was always there waiting to take them home to ensure they got home safely,’ said Sinnanan.

Cameilla Narine paid tribute to baby Elijah and said the best time of her family members lives were the two years they had him.

’You were the smallest but the biggest part of our lives,’ said Narine.

The family was buried at the McBean Public Cemetery.