'I love you and I will never forget you'

More than 700 people, many lining up for three blocks in the rain, gathered at a Polish church in Montreal's east end for the funeral of Anastasia De Sousa on Tuesday, nearly a week after the 18-year-old student was shot dead in a shooting rampage at a downtown college.

Under a canopy of umbrellas, mourners including Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Montreal Mayor Grald Tremblay and other politicians began showing up at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parishin Hochelaga-Maisonneuve more than an hour before the funeral's 11 a.m. ET start.

The pews filled quickly, leaving many people outside in the drizzle. A speaker system broadcast the English-language service to those gathered outside.

The funeral was closed to television cameras and journalists, but many people stopped to pay tribute to De Sousa. She was studying international business at Dawson College when she was killed in the rampage on Sept. 13 that also injured 19 people and left the gunman, Kimveer Gill, dead after shooting himself in the head.

"We never stopped laughing. I used to call her Malibu Stacy because she was like a Barbie doll," said Jennifer Mariasine, who went to junior high school with De Sousa.

"One time we were speaking, and she said that at her funeral, she wanted everyone to smile and to wear pink. I don't know about the smiling, but I'm wearing pink."

Many mourners wore a flash of pink De Sousa's favourite colour.

"I love her and I miss her, and she's gorgeous," said Gilda Ciccone, a close friend of De Sousa's. "I really liked what she did with her hair."

During the funeral, De Sousa's younger sister Sarah, 16,read a short eulogy. "I never thought this day would be so soon. I had expectations we would share the future," Sarah said. "You were my sister by blood and my best friend. I love you and I will never forget you."

When the funeral ended, pallbearers walked slowly down the steps of the church, carrying the coffin wrapped in a white and blue Dawson College flag.

Bloc Qubcois MP Serge Mnard, Parti Qubcois Leader Andr Boisclair and federal Liberal leadership candidate Stphane Dion were among the other politicians present.

There is no good time to lose a child, said Mnard. "It's something very deep and very sad."

De Sousa's death is difficult to accept because of how she died, he added.

"Obviously she was killed, because she was beautiful, and she radiates happiness. And to think that if those qualities that made her so lovable put an end to her life, it's something really awful," said Mnard.

Mourners said the funeral service was a fitting tribute to De Sousa.

"It was just beautiful, I just felt Stacy's presence there," said Helen De Sano, a friend of the family.

Other mourners said the funeral brought a sense of closure. "It was a good moment though it was sad but it was a happy moment," said Jason Notto, a friend of De Sousa's. "Like I said mixed emotions. I'm really happy she's in a better place."

The Catholic funeral service was an opportunity for De Sousa's family to stand together and grieve, said Rev.Michel Parent, who assisted in the mass. "You could feel that their heart was full of pain, but it was not like a dead end, it was not like an impasse," Parent said.

Hundreds pay their respects

On Monday night, hundreds of students, friends and strangers paid their last respects to De Sousa during visitation at a Laval funeral home.

Shuttle buses carried hundreds of Dawson students and staff to the funeral home north of Montreal. Some cried and some clutched each other as they moved into the funeral home's chapel.

Many mourners did not know De Sousa personally, but said they were compelled to pay their respects.

Student Duy Le said she never metDe Sousa, but"she was in my school, she was my age, she just got into college and now she's dead.I have my life, I have time to come and see her, so I feel that is the least I could do for her."

The outpouring of support was welcomed by De Sousa's family.

De Sousa's uncle, Ral Hevey, said it has helped them through a traumatic time. "We're grateful for the support of the people. Stacy was special, and people knew Stacy was special."

Gunman remembered

As mourners laid Anastasia De Sousa to rest, afuneral was held across town for gunman Kimveer Gill.

Gill's family held a private funeral at a Sikh temple in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, on Montreal's West Island. About 40 people attended. A police car was parked outside the temple to keep uninvited guests away.The young man's family,who expressed shock and remorse after the Sept. 13 shootings, have issued a statement that they will not make any more public comments.

The 25-year old lived in Fabreville, a suburb of Laval, with his parents and younger twin brothers. He was an active member of vampirefreaks.com, where he posted photographs of himself brandishing guns and knives, and bloggedabout his inner turmoil.

Gill'sbody was cremated Tuesday afternoon.