Friends and family of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones gathered to say farewell to the London Bridge attack victims today.
Pallbearers were seen carrying the coffin during Mr Merritt’s funeral at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge, with parents Anne and David arriving arm-in-arm to at the funeral service for their beloved son.
Those close to Ms Jones also paid tribute during a memorial service, led by Rev Patrick Taylor, at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Ms Jones’ mother Michelle Jones, her grandmother, and other family members attended the memorial, and had held a private funeral earlier today.
Mr Merritt, 25, and Ms Jones, 23, were killed by Usman Khan during a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmongers’ Hall in central London on November 29.
Mourners began arriving at the church for Ms Jones’ memorial just after 11am. Reading the tribute, Rev Michael Price, deputy headteacher of Bloxham School, said Ms Jones was a ‘life-shaper’, and ‘never forgotten’.
The coffin arrives for the funeral of London Bridge terror attack victim Jack Merritt at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge
Jack Merritt’s parents Anne and David, left, and girlfriend Leanne O’Brien, centre, arrive for the funeral of the London Bridge terror attack victim at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge
Michelle Jones, the mother of London Bridge terror attack victim Saskia Jones, is comforted following her daughter’s memorial service at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon
London Bridge terror attack victims (left) Jack Merritt, 25, of Cottenham, Cambridgeshire and (right) Saskia Jones, 23, of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
The order of service for a memorial service for London Bridge terror attack victim Saskia Jones at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon
There were readings by both Ms Jones’ uncle, Phil Jones – who read Psalm 121, and her mother, who recited Nicole Lyons’ I Hope That Someday When I Am Gone.
‘I hope that someday when I am gone, someone, somewhere, picks my soul up off of these pages and thinks, I would have loved her.’
She added: ‘Thank you all for your love, thank you all for your support.’
The service concluded with the playing of James Blunt track, The Greatest.
The family requested donations for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
The girlfriend of Mr Merritt, Leanne O’Brien, was among those attending his rainy service today, appearing to hold back tears as she arrived to say her goodbyes.
Earlier this month Ms O’Brien paid tribute to her boyfriend Mr Merritt, sharing a letter written by Mr Merritt’s father.
Ms O’Brien wrote on Facebook: ‘My love, you are phenomenal and have opened so many doors for those that society turned their backs on. Together, we will make a difference.’
Mr Merritt and Ms Jones were stabbed to death by Usman Khan at Fishmongers’ Hall while working at a prisoner’s rehabilitation conference.
Mourners arrive for the funeral of London Bridge terror attack victim Jack Merritt at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge
Mourners who travelled in the family cortege arrive at a memorial service for London Bridge terror attack victim Saskia Jones
Ms Jones’ mother Michelle Jones (pictured), her grandmother, and other family members attended the memorial, and had held a private funeral earlier in the day
Earlier this month Ms O’Brien paid tribute to her boyfriend Mr Merritt for opening doors ‘for those that society turned their backs on’ following his death
Michelle Jones, the mother of London Bridge terror attack victim Saskia Jones, leaves following her memorial service at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon
Jack Merritt’s parents Anne and David,centre, and girlfriend Leanne O’Brien, second from right, arrive for the funeral of the London Bridge terror attack victim
Family members of the victim of the terror attack in Fishmongers’ Hall on London Bridge, University of Cambridge graduate Saskia Jones, arrive for a memorial service
Writing in the Guardian, David Merritt had previously said his son would be ‘livid’ if he could comment on his death.
‘He would be seething at his death, and his life, being used to perpetuate an agenda of hate that he gave his everything fighting against,’ he said.
‘We should never forget that. What Jack would want from this is for all of us to walk through the door he has booted down, in his black Doc Martens.’
He added: ‘He lived and breathed fire in his pursuit of a better world for all humanity, particularly those most in need.’
Convicted terrorist Usman Khan, who was released from prison early with a tag despite plotting to blow up the London Stock Exchange, killed the two Cambridge graduates after successfully overturning his original sentence for his part in a plot to blow up the London Stock Exchange.
Khan injured three others during his rampage which started at a prisoner rehabilitation conference less than a year after he was released from jail on licence half way through a 16-year jail sentence.
He was banned from London under the terms of his bail but used the cover of the education event to commit murder with knives and spark fear by wearing a fake terror belt.
Jack Merritt’s girlfriend Leanne O’Brien (centre) arrives for the funeral of the London Bridge terror attack victim at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge
The girlfriend of Mr Merritt, Leanne O’Brien, was among those attending his rainy service today, appearing to hold back tears as she arrived to say her goodbyes
Pallbearers were seen preparing to carry the coffin at Mr Merritt’s funeral at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge today
Michelle Jones, mother of the victim of the terror attack in Fishmongers’ Hall on London Bridge, University of Cambridge graduate Saskia Jones, leaves after attending a Saskia’s memorial service at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Family members of the victim of the terror attack in Fishmongers’ Hall on London Bridge, University of Cambridge graduate Saskia Jones, arrive for a memorial service at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-Upon-Avon, central England on December 20, 2019
A mourner arrives at a memorial service for London Bridge terror attack victim Saskia Jones at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon
The ‘devastated’ family of Ms Jones have thanked wellwishers for their support following the death of their ‘brilliant and caring daughter’ who ‘touched so many lives in such a short space of time’.
Ms Jones’ family released a tribute saying they are ‘devastated’ by her death but thanked all those who had come forward to share their support following the heartbreaking news.
Describing her as ‘a brilliant, caring daughter, grand-daughter, niece, cousin, friend and colleague,’ they said in a statement: ‘We would like to thank all those who have expressed their condolences over the past week, since the events of Friday 29 November.
‘We are very grateful for the huge number of messages of support we have received from family, friends and strangers alike.
‘Their thoughts are very much appreciated.
‘It has been made very clear that Saskia is held in the highest esteem by many people and that she had touched so many lives in a short time.’
Saskia Jones, 23, (pictured) of Stratford-upon-Avon, died alongside Jack Merritt, 25, of Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, after Usman Khan went on a stabbing frenzy in London
Khan killed two and injured three others before he was shot dead by police on Friday, November 29 (pictured, the scene of the struggle when brave members of the public tackle Khan)
Cambridge University graduate Jack Merritt, 25, was attacked at an event near London Bridge. Mr Merritt and Miss Jones were stabbed to death by Usman Khan at Fishmongers’ Hall while working at a prisoner’s rehabilitation conference