Hannah Rhook’s favourite colour pink was the dominant colour at the heart-wrenching funeral of the bubbly eight-year-old in Hamilton on Friday afternoon.
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The crowd of 200 at St Mary’s Church also heard of the courageous decision to donate Hannah’s eyes and kidneys to people on the transplant list.
Hannah died on March 29 after suffering a stroke earlier in the month.
Her grandfather Jeff Jellie told the funeral that Hannah had given her family eight wonderful years, full of adventure and wonderful stories.
Mr Jellie said Hannah had been a bright and bubbly girl who had much love to give.
He said she had been a cyclone who had entered their lives and brought much happiness but whose departure had left much sadness.
He said Hannah knew she had the undivided love of her family.
Earlier in the funeral, her brother Jacob and sister Amiee placed significant items from Hannah’s life on the small coffin, including a scarf from the Collingwood football club, Hannah’s favourite AFL team.
St Mary’s parish priest Father Patrick Mugavin said the significant items included a box of chocolates because Hannah had special radar for finding chocolates and would eat all of them when she found them.
Hannah’s father Matthew told the funeral Hannah had a love of music and singing and had many friends.
In honour of Hannah, pink balloons were also released at the Dartmoor Bush Nursing Centre. The family has many relatives at Dartmoor.
Father Mugavin said Hannah’s kidneys had gone to two separate children, saving each of their lives.
Hannah was operated on to relieve the swelling of her brain but she died eight days later.
The family has received much support from the Hamilton community, both after Hannah suffered her stroke and after her death three weeks later.
Hundreds of people expressed their heartache through social media including the Hannah Rhook’s Heroes Facebook page.
A fund raising event by the Hamilton community had been planned for Wednesday, April 5 at the hamilton showgrounds.
Throughout the nightmare, Hannah’s mother Cassie and father Matt ensured the community that had rallied around their family was kept informed about the eight-year-old’s condition.
