A heartfelt tribute was paid today to a 78-year-old grandmother who died in the Grenfell Tower fire.
Ligaya Moore moved to London from the Philippines in 1974 and married a British man, Jim Moore, who died several years ago. She had been living on the 21st floor of the tower block when it was destroyed on June 14 last year.
She was remembered today on the fifth day of tributes to the 72 dead, which are being held before public inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick begins hearing evidence.
Her friend Caroline Custodio told the inquiry at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington: “She was like my mother because I have been away from my family. It’s really hard for me now. The last time I saw her she was so happy. She said ‘I love you, take care of yourself.’”
The El-Wahabi family were also being commemorated today. Father Abdulaziz, 52, mother Faouzia, 41, and children Yasin, 20, Nur Huda, 16, and Mehdi, eight, were killed as they awaited rescue from their home on the 21st floor.
Abdulaziz’s sister Hana said at the time: “He said he had been told to stay inside and put towels under the door.” She said the family were last seen waving frantically out of their window.
Another family of five, and Jessica Urbano Ramirez, who died just weeks before her 13th birthday, were also set to be honoured. Hashim Kedir, 44, from the 22nd floor, died alongside wife Nura Jemal, 35, daughter Firdows Hashim, 12, and sons Yahya Hashim, 13, and Yaqub Hashim, six.
