In the church where her parents were married and she was baptised Canberrans said their final farewells to Olivia Lambert this morning.
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More than 400 mourners dressed predominantly in purple, Olivia’s favorite colour, came to say goodbye to the little girl at the St John’s Anglican Church in Reid after she lost her fight with neuroblastoma one week ago.
Olivia captured the territory’s heart during a courageous six-year battle with the most aggressive of childhood cancers.
The little girl was diagnosed with stage four of the deadly disease in 2006 and her fifth birthday was a milestone doctors said she would never reach. The bubbly girl who wanted to be a ballerina celebrated her eighth birthday in January. And when Australian doctors gave up on the little girl, Canberrans raised more than $300,000 for treatments in Germany and the United States.
During many painful treatments including chemotherapy, which saw the little girl lose her blonde locks three times, Olivia was always brave.
Her maternal grandfather Richard Hedges told the congregation she never complained even though blood tests were a regular part of her life and the nurses sometimes took 10 tries to draw blood.
‘‘Throughout this she remain stoic, but she sometimes got frustrated and one time quipped to the nurse, ‘‘Are you getting better or am I just getting braver?’’, Mr Hedges said.
‘‘And even when she couldn’t smile because the pain was too bad, she would tell her parents it was all right - `I’m smiling on the inside'.’’
Ian Lambert, Olivia’s paternal grandfather, told the grieving family and friends Olivia inspired everyone she met.
‘‘Most of all she was a shining example of how to face up to adversity without fear...she simply got on with the act of living in between treatments and fit so much into her life,’’ Mr Lambert said.
‘‘Olivia was a gift on loan that left an indelible impression so that her memory and spirit will remain forever.’’
He paid tribute to his son James and daughter-in law Kirsty.
‘‘You have been the most amazing parents who did absolutely everything human possible to cherish, love, support and heal Olivia. You made sure she enjoyed her short life so much- at the same time meeting all of little Sarah’s wishes and you intensively researched treatments in Germany and the US which brough Olivia more time and hope.’’
Olivia’s favorite songs by pop stars Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez were played as people entered the church but the pews were soon filled with a majority of the mourners sitting outside on temporary seating.
In the order of service Olivia’s parents Kirsty and James thanked the community for their support and generosity.
‘‘To the amazing Canberra community: We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for Olivia and our family. We are deeply touched. With your support, Olivia was able to enjoy more time with us, time that she, otherwise, would not have had. Thank you, Canberra, from the bottom of our hearts.’’
The couple read a poem, ‘‘Brave Little Soul’’ by John Alessi with Olivia’s younger sister Sarah by their side.
Classmates from Burgmann Anglican School formed an honour guard as her father and grandfathers carried Olivia out of the church in a lilac casket at the end of the service. Olivia’s friends released 70 purple balloons as the procession passed.
Olivia was buried in the family plot at Gungahlin cemetery but all around Canberra native Swan River Daisies will start popping up in tribute to the little girl.
Olivia’s parents gifted family and friends a seeded card and asked they plant it in memory of ‘‘a little angel who touched and inspired through her courage and determination.’’
