Family, friends, community members gather to remember Jassy Correia

BOSTON — Funeral services began Friday for the 23-year-old Boston woman who was kidnapped and killed after leaving a nightclub.

Jassy Correia disappeared nearly two weeks ago while out celebrating her birthday. Police say her body was found in the trunk of a car in Delaware, driven by Louis Coleman III who has been charged in her kidnapping and death.

Friends and family gathered Thursday night for a vigil to remember the young mother.

>> Loved ones gather for vigil to celebrate life of Jassy Correia

The wake for Jassy Correia was held at Saint Peter Parish in Dorchester, with friends and family saying they want to focus on Jassy's life as a young woman and loving mother to her 2-year-old daughter.

A stream of mourners began flowing toward the church early, with the crowd stretching well into the parking lot shortly thereafter.

"It's very hard to come to terms, and it'll take some time for people to come to grips with the reality
of what's happening," Dorchester native Alberto Montrond said.

Montrond's niece knew Correia, and, like Correia, he is Cape Verdean.

"We're here to show our support, and it's a very strong, strong community," Montrond said.

Inside the walls of the church, Montrond said emotions were as raw as they've been at any point in the two weeks since Correia was reported missing.

"It's very charged still, and people are very emotional still," Montrond said.

Boston Police managed the heavy traffic and the crowds attending the wake.

A GoFundMe for Correia's daughter has raised over $140,000.

Aside from the GoFundMe, local businesses have stepped in to help the Correia family with the wake and funeral. More than a half dozens vendors have donated food and service, including Del Frisco's, where Jassy worked, and Cesaria, which is a block away from the church.

"It's the least we could do," said Cesaria owner Tony Barros. "It really hit close to home. Could have been any of us."

In Brockton, owners of Vicente Supermarket were also eager to help in any way they can. They're donating prepared food or anything else the Correia family may need.

"This is a community supermarket. We are for the community. We are for the people, so when something rocks us as a people and as a community, we stick together," said Brian Vicente.

The service for Correia was held Saturday morning at Saint Peter Parish, with a private burial afterwards.

Correia's white casket was adorned with white flowers, along with a poster board filled with photos of Correia and her 2-year-old daughter and the words "In Loving Memory Jassy."

Mayor Walsh was among the crowd at the service, which was followed by a private burial ceremony.

"We express our sadness but we must also accept the death of Jassy," her cousin, Makeila De Andrade, said during the funeral. "I have faith and trust in God with all my heart that her death was not in vain."

During the service, Correia's father, Joaquin Correia, called her his "good child" and "my dear Jassy" as he wished her "eternal rest in paradise." He spoke in Cape Verdean Creole in a speech translated into English by John Barros, Boston's chief of economic development.