Sweet tribute for teacher

A small town teacher killed in a crash was honoured in a very special way during her funeral – with her favourite chocolate.

Ryan McIntyre said his sister Casey Walker would have been annoyed that she didn’t get to enjoy a single piece of the 100 blocks of Cadbury Caramilk collected to share during the service at the Morrinsville Event Centre yesterday.

Walker, 34, suffered critical injuries in a car accident on February 9 on Tauhei Rd near Morrinsville. She died of her injuries the next day.

When her family went to her house after her death they found 19 blocks of Caramilk stashed around the house and so the idea to celebrate her life with the chocolate was born.

At a devastating time when family and friends were struggling to come to terms with the Morrinsville teacher’s sudden death, chocolate was used to temporarily mend broken hearts.

‘‘She loved it. We decided to have blocks of Caramilk, so that people can put a piece in with Case and enjoy a piece themselves,’’ McIntyre said while munching on Caramilk and speaking at his sister’s service.

Thousands gathered to remember Walker, a reflection of the daughter, wife, mother, sister, niece, cousin, teacher and friend she was.

The Six60 song ‘‘Don’t forget your roots’’ echoed out as her casket was carried into the events centre.

Born in October 1983, Walker was the eldest child of Graeme and Sharon McIntyre. She grew up in Mangateparu, on the outskirts of Morrinsville.

Walker was a proud Morrinsville girl and she and husband Davey were often referred to as Mr and Mrs Morrinsville due to their involvement with the Morrinsville Rugby and Sports Club, the Morrinsville Netball Centre, Morrinsville Country Music Club and Morrinsville School.

Those who spoke at the service remembered Walker’s passion for teaching.

She started teaching at Morrinsville School in 2006 and other than a couple of breaks in between, she always ended up back there.

Principal Shay Noonan held back tears as he paid tribute to the talented and inspiring teacher, who refused to call him by his first name.

Casey is survived by her husband Davey and children Briar and Tanner.

PHOTOS: DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF More than a thousand people gathered to remember Casey Walker, at the Morrinsville Event Centre yesterday.

Thousands turned up to the Morrinsville Event Centre for Casey Walker’s funeral, pictured below.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED Casey Walker and her husband Davey with their children Tanner and Briar, pictured left.

Casey Walker loved Caramilk chocolate, which played a big part in her funeral yesterday.