"There's so many people. I just wish she was here," said her 18-year-old son, Blayne.

In a manner of speaking, Della was there. Her portrait sat among a row of wreaths. The room was filled with thoughts of the woman who died such a violent death.

"Lord, there's so many closets full of memories of Della within each heart that's here," said Rod Shimabukuro, pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship.

A slide show of photographs tried to sum up her life. Della was born July 16, 1969 and died on April 25 of this year. Between then and now she influenced a lot of people.

"She went out of her way to do anything for everybody. She always made time for everybody else and she only had a little bit of time for herself," Blayne Dikito said.

At the memorial there was no talk of Della's death at the hands of her husband or how Domingo Dikito killed himself in their Ewa Beach home.

"I know she's in a better life," her brother Eric said. "She's living her second life, eternal life in heaven. I'm happy for her and i'll meet up with her later."

The family said it wasn't surprised by the large turnout or the impact Della's life had on others.

"I would always call her when i had my problems," her nephew Tristan Bailey said. "She would always tell me to stay positive, keep your head up, keep going in the right direction."

The Dikito's four children ages eight to eighteen are now orphans. Blayne's the oldest. He's trying to be a father to his three sisters and to his own daughter. He said his mother's lessons will guide him.

"There was nothing wrong with how she raised me. The way I'm going to raise my daughter is the same way," he said.
Death has a way of reminding us about life -- things we should never forget.

Della Dikito's life ended at 38 years. But in the hearts and minds of many, she will live on.

Tuesday, May 27, Big City Diner will hold a fundraiser for the Dikito family at its five Oahu restaurants.

Click here for more information.

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