Funeral held in Czech capital for Pavlína Radlová, a pivotal member of the Romani community and civil society

On Friday in the church of St. Anthony of Padua in the Holešovice neighborhood of Prague more than 200 people paid their final respects to Pavlína Radlová, the founder of the social counseling organization R-mosty and head of its shelter. She passed away on Sunday, March 27, after a long and serious illness at the age of 53.

Pavlína Radlová was born in Prague as one of nine siblings. In school she was a very popular, successful pupil.

Ms Radlová worked in various professions over the course of her life. She was a clerk for the post office, a pedagogue for those with special needs, a schoolteacher and a social worker.

She graduated from college with a focus on social and pedagogical Assistance at the age of 40. She worked in the organization R-mosty, which she founded, and ran a mothers' shelter in Mladá Boleslav.

"Some people leave us when they are young, others have longer to complete their time. You filled your time in a way that many could never do even if they lived 100 years," said Jakub Čihák, director of the R-mosty organization, in his eulogy.

"You never rejected those who came to you, you did what a good person should. You knew how to give, and you knew how to forgive. You gave a home not just to your own family, but to hundreds of others. You gave hope to parents and joy to children," Mr Čihák remembered Pavlína Radlová.

"Mi del o Del tuke loki phuv."