Well over 100 family members and friends gathered at the Breath of Life Church in White Center on Aug. 28 to celebrate the life of Sweetheart Failautusi, the 23-year-old woman whose life was taken by a bullet on Aug. 16.

It was the second time in just over a year that the Samoan community gathered at Breath of Life to say goodbye to a member of the Failautusi family. Sweetheart’s father passed away last year and his funeral was held on Aug. 17, 2010.

The public service began with a slideshow for Sweetheart, recounting her life and joyous smile with hundreds of photos from childhood to young adulthood. It then moved into the outpouring of support in the aftermath of her death, with images of the tribute built at the shooting scene in White Center and the charity car wash on Aug. 26 to raise funds for her funeral.

Ramona Failautusi, one of Sweetheart’s eight siblings and her younger sister, gave the eulogy. She opened with the origin of her sister’s name. When Sweetheart was born on Feb. 18, 1988 she was the first daughter to come into the family, Ramona said.

“She was the first girl, so Daddy said we should call her Sweetheart.”

“This is my second time up here doing a eulogy," she said. "My first time was around this time last year for Daddy. Never in a million years did I think I would be back here so soon, let alone for Sweety.”

“These past two weeks have been the hardest weeks of my life. For me, my family and the people who loved her. But thanks to God … I can see brighter days through the storm.”

“My greatest blessing these past two weeks was being able to be here and see all the love people had for Sweetheart. I can tell that everybody’s love is genuine and true because Sweetheart was that type of person. When she told you she was your friend or you were her friend of family, she meant it. That meant she had your back no matter how tall or great the battle – even though she was 5’3” on crutches – Sweety would never let you fight alone.”

Pastor Bob Moore from the Highline Seventh-day Adventist Church performed the sermon.

“It is a very sad occasion when a young life has been ended by an act of violence,” Moore said. “There are enough challenges with cancer, disease, accidents that we don’t need foolishness through violence. That’s the last thing we need. We don’t need to give death a better opportunity to deprive us of the joy of living.”

The time is coming,” Moore said, “there will be no more tears.”

A family service was held from 4 p.m. to 6: 30 p.m. and the public service ran from 7 p.m. into the night on Sunday. Sweetheart Failautusi will be laid to rest on Monday, Aug. 29.