BALLARAT cyclist Amy Gillett was remembered as a princess with a radiant smile who "oozed love" at a moving funeral service yesterday.
Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay tribute to the sporting identity, whose life was cut tragically short during a training exercise in Germany last week.
Family, friends, team mates and sporting dignitaries united at the Doveton Park Funeral Centre in Ballarat North to remember Amy, who died in pursuit of a dream.
The 29-year-old cyclist was killed by an out-of-control car while training with the Australian Institute of Sport team near Leipzig.
Amy, a former Olympic rower, had dreams of chasing gold at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games next year in her pet event, the individual time trial.
And while mourners struggled to comprehend the magnitude of their loss yesterday, the service was more about celebrating a remarkable life, than lamenting its passing.
Amy's father Denis Safe spoke about those who had fallen under Amy's "friendly spell" and said that while the family was suffering unending pain, her memory would help them recover.
"We've asked ourselves how could this terrible tragedy have happened to us ... but there are no answers just pain," he said.
Amy's mother Mary Safe described her daughter as a blessing who "oozed love" and was an eternal optimist who was "always looking onwards and upwards with that radiant smile."
She said Amy was the light of her husband Simon's life.
"She died in love, what more could any parent ask?" Mrs Safe said. "Amy simply was love."
Simon reserved his sentiments for a private memorial with close friends and family after the funeral. His father, Max Gillett, spoke about the pride the family had taken watching the "exciting spectre of Amy" competing all
over the world and the joy of welcoming her into the family when the couple married last year.
The blessings were led by St Patrick's Cathedral Monsignor Henry Nolan and AIS cycling chaplain Pastor Murray Lydeamore and included prayers for Amy's five injured team mates.
Afterwards, family members were invited to lay items on the coffin, which was draped in an Olympic flag.
Simon's son from a previous marriage, Rhys, placed a cycling vest on the coffin, which was joined by Amy's bridal tiara, laid by her bridesmaid, Rachael Kininmonth.
In a heart-felt tribute, Ms Kininmonth spoke about a lesser known Amy - nicknamed princess and Betty - and indulged mourners in stories about her penchant for gelati, sticky buns, designer lingerie and expensive diamond
jewellery.
"To my beautiful, beautiful friend, you radiate energy, beauty and naive innocence in your love of life, you were focused on your dream but you never compromised your family and friends, you were the most committed friend
I've ever had," she said.
Former cycling and rowing team mates formed an guard of honour with oars and bicycle tyres as Amy's coffin left the chapel.
The funeral was followed by an informal memorial service with close friends and family at Gee Cees cafe in Sturt St.
Amy was cremated at the Ballarat Crematorium.
Email a friend