Article from Croydon Advertiser
A DANCE teacher whose talent inspired youngsters across Croydon has been remembered after losing her life aged 32.
Neriah Kumah, of Denmark Road, South Norwood, has been described as a "genuine character" who changed the lives of many.
Her family have spoken this week about the bubbly woman, who passed away after a six-moth battle with cancer.
Neriah taught at John Ruskin College in Selsdon, before joining up with the Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation (CYTO) in Oakley Road, South Norwood.
Paying tribute to her younger sister, Janet Kumah, 33, said: "Dance was a massive part of her life.
"She was a dance teacher at John Ruskin for two years and to all of the girls in her class she was like a big sister. Neriah was the 'go to' person.
"It was really touching in hospital when a group from CYTO came in and sat around her bed and started playing her music and singing.
"The amount of people who came to see her was amazing."
As a child, Neriah was transfixed by the American musicals of the 1930s to the 1980s and would spend weekends with Janet listening to the Fame soundtrack.
She would play music videos by the 90s band Salt-N-Pepa and make up dance routines to the latest hits of Abba and Janet Jackson.
But away from her love of dance and music, she developed a strong and immovable faith in God.
Mum Janet said: "She was a very committed Christian. She was kind, polite and giving.
"Even when Neriah was sick she was concerned about us.
"She was my little girl and she's done so much work in her life.
"But she's done it with love.
"Looking back she would crack jokes with the nurses – she was incredible. I am so proud of her."
During her life, Neriah travelled across the UK and worldwide, performing and teaching.
But one thing that remained consistent was her ability to put others before herself.
Younger sister Philippa, 20, said: "She would drop people home with an empty tank of petrol.
"Everybody would be home safely and then her car would stop. I remember one of the students was having a rough time and wanted to go back to her parents house.
"Neriah gave her the money for a travel card and then she said 'I'm just figuring out how I'm getting home'. She didn't have the money because she'd given it to somebody else."
Neriah was diagnosed with cancer in July and passed away in December. More than 500 people attended the funeral service, organised by Rowland Brothers funeral directors, at Shiloh United Church of Christ Apostolic, in Benshaw Grove, Thornton Heath.
