SHE spoke four languages and died far from her Georgian homeland after a seven-year asylum saga.
Now questions remain about the future of the son left behind in Scotland by a woman who lost her fight against illness at just 35.
The story of Ana, which is not her real name, emerged yesterday after Scots churches arranged a Georgian Orthodox-style funeral service in her adopted city of Glasgow.
Strangers joined her son and other family members at the funeral and her body will now be returned to the former Soviet state for burial.
The service was held at Springburn Parish Church on Friday after the headmaster of her ten-year-old’s school contacted the Church of Scotland for help.
The youngster is now an orphan and remains in Scotland with no official status.
He arrived here at the age of three and his mother was awaiting the outcome of an asylum appeal at the time of her death, which was caused by a long illness.
The family’s names and exact details about Ana’s illness have been withheld to avoid identifying her child.
An appeal to support him set up by church leaders has raised £700 so far.
Rev Brian Casey of Springburn Parish Church, who is receiving the donations, said the funeral, jointly organised with the Catholic Church, had been one of the hardest he has conducted.
He said: “It was heartwarming to see so many local people attend to show support for a grieving family.
“Springburn has a very strong community and we can still come together and support people in times of need.
“We did our best to honour the Orthodox Church’s tradition, which is somewhere between the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church liturgically.
“It was an emotional day but we have given the family a chance to grieve properly and I hope we can support them on an ongoing basis.”
Local residents were amongst the 40 mourners at the service, which included the Lord’s Prayer in ancient language Aramaic and the use of incense.
Father John McGrath, of St Aloysius Church, noted he had been moved by Ana’s story, saying: “It was a great honour to be invited to help the family because some of the symbols we use in the Catholic faith resonate more with them. In circumstances of when people feel marginalised, when there is a limitation of language, it is important to make people feel they are part of a wider Christian family.
He added: “As my personal friendship with Brian grows, we are working more and more together and encourage people to take part in events in both churches.
“Coming together for any occasion and praying together is the deepest expression of any Christian, no matter what denomination.”
David Bradwell, co-ordinator of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, said: “Marking a death and remembering a life with dignity and respect are things which we would all hope for ourselves and our loved ones.
“It is sad to think of young people dying, especially when they are alone or away from family support nearby. The role of the Church to offer compassion and understanding.
“The Church will ask no questions about immigration status or ability to pay, but offers a loving community of prayer and support showing our commitment to respecting dignity in death as well as life.”
The Home Office says cases are examined on their merits.
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