IT IS sad to have to measure the mark of a life by the last act but if we do, then it is clear that Nikitta Grender was a much-loved young woman.

At her funeral yesterday hundreds of family, friends and loved ones packed into St John's Church, Maindee, to say their last goodbyes to the young mum-to-be and her unborn daughter Kelsey-May.

Like many, we have run out of words to describe the awful circumstances of the death of the 19-year-old and the baby she was carrying. And that really is not a matter for now.

Now it is all about remembering the person, so cruelly taken at such a young age and mourning the loss of a much-wanted baby daughter and granddaughter.

It is clear that Nikitta and Kelsey-May held a special place in the hearts of many and their tragic loss has cast a long and painful shadow.

We send them our condolences.