Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

State funeral for ex-minister Esme Jumeau |21 July 2008

Former President Rene, among other dignitaries, officials and members of the public paying their last respects to the late Mr Jumeau (photo inset)

Also present were members of the late minister’s family, former First Lady Sarah Rene, members of the judiciary, of the National Assembly, of the diplomatic corps and of the public, who filled the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria to standing capacity.

Earlier the body of former Minister Jumeau – who died on Tuesday night at 79 – lay in state at the International Conference Centre where former President France Albert Rene led senior dignitaries and throngs of government officials and other people in paying their respects.

The body is carried inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where the funeral service was held

Mr Jumeau’s casket was draped in the colours of Seychelles national flag and was escorted by a guard of honour up to Mont Fleuri cemetery where his body was laid to rest.

The church service was led by Father Edwin Mathiot of the Roman Catholic Church.

President Michel pays his last respects to the departed while Father Mathiot (left), Vice-President Belmont, former Minister Sylvette Pool and Ambassador Jumeau look on

Vice-President Belmont and Foreign Affairs Minister Patrick Pillay spoke on behalf of the government, retracing the departed former engineer’s life and interactions with colleagues and staff while he was in government.

At the Mont Fleuri cemetery moments before the body was laid to rest

The late minister’s son, Ambassador Ronny Jumeau read his father’s eulogy.