Linnea Veinotte, who went missing in small Caribbean island of Grenada on Dec. 6 and was later found dead, is being remembered for the sparkle in her eyes and kindness in her heart.

Veinotte’s friends and family gathered Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lunenburg, N.S. Sunday to celebrate her life and say their final goodbyes.

Veinotte’s sister-in-law Chasidy Veinotte says family was the most important thing to her.

"Remember her as a devoted daughter, loving sister, adoring wide and proud mother to Lucas and Isaac, and of course as a friend and much-loved colleague to so many,” said Veinotte’s sister-in-law Chasidy Veinotte-Dorey.

Veinotte went missing Dec. 6 after leaving for a run on the southern tip of Grenada. Her husband, Matt Veinotte, said he believed both his wife and their dog had been struck by a vehicle.

Police had been looking for a dark grey Suzuki Escudo since Veinotte was reported missing. They located the vehicle on Dec. 10 on the south end of the island, about 10 to 15 kilometres from where Veinotte is believed to have been struck.

Veinotte moved to Grenada in July with her husband and two children and was working as an assistant professor at St. George's University. She was most recently working as a learning strategist in the university’s Department of Educational Services.

“Within the university, obviously she's been a very close member of our team so this has been a very tragic event for Grenada, the university and also for department,” said Winston James, assistant commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force.

Veinotte had a long list of academic and professional accomplishments, including a PHD in genetics from the University of British Columbia, post doctorate fellowships at Dalhousie University, and teaching positions at Dalhousie, Acadia, and Mount Saint Vincent Universities.

Veinotte was born in New Brunswick but grew up in Nova Scotia.

“Linnea's beautiful smile, the sparkle in her eyes, the kindness in her heart, her sure confidence and her unconditional love will live on, making the world and all who knew her better,” said Veinotte-Dorey.

Veinotte’s family says her short but brilliant life left a lasting impression on everyone she knew.

They say her favourite quote was, ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all.’

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelly Linehan.