A funeral service for US Peace Corps Volunteer Tessa Marie Horan (24) was held at the Free Wesleyan Centenary Church in Nuku'’alofa this afternoon, and attended by the Tongan Prime Minister . HRH Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata.

The funeral procession, led by the Tonga Police Brass Band, began at the Nuku'alofa Mortuary, went through town to the Centenary Church.

The service was conducted by Rev. Penisimani Fonua and included the recital of poems, with songs by the 13 new US Peace Corps volunteers that Tessa was assigned to Tonga with.

The church service included a heartfelt commemoration including a song written by Tessa. Also attending the church service was the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. James Cecil Cocker and the Minister of Education Hon. Dr Tevita Palefau, and Kirk Lindly, a Consular officer and Kelly Cullen, the Regional Safety and Security Officer, both with the US Embassy, Suva, Fiji.

Peace Corps Volunteer Scott Ralston in reading a commemoration said that Tessa from Santa Fe, New Mexico, graduated from the College of Santa Fe in December 2003. Her love of water and nature drew her to work as a rafting guide, in a ski patrol and as an organic farmer, and she also served many youth as an elementary school teacher. Tessa was assigned to Peace Corps Tonga's Group 70 Community Education team in November 2005, and after nine weeks of training she joined the Tu'anuku community in Vava'u. In her aspiration statement Tessa had said, "I am seeking to fall into communities and share the human quest for togetherness and simplicity." Tessa also mentioned one of her favourite inspirational quotes from Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Tessa's body will be flown home on Air New Zealand at 11:00pm tonight. She is survived by her mother and father, two brothers and a sister.

Tessa died after being attacked by a shark in the water off Tu'anuku last week.