Muffled bells rang out from Huddersfield Parish Church on Wednesday as hundreds of young mourners came to remember and celebrate the life of 15-year-old Katelyn Dawson.
Torches from mobile phones shone out for the brief life of the teenager described as “awesome, beautiful and life-giving” to a special tribute song called You Will Always Shine written and performed by local singer songwriter, Zoey Brook Jackson.
Three local schools closed - including her own, Shelley College - out of respect and to allow her friends and former teachers to say their goodbyes.
Katelyn was a talented dancer and had found her love of dancing at the age of four. Her college dance troupe, Shelley College Dancers, performed a dance routine for her to a new song written and performed by school friend Maddy Carr.
Three of her best friends spoke movingly of losing Katelyn and her sister’s partner, Alex read a eulogy on behalf of the family.
The vicar of Lindley, the Revd Rachel Firth, led the service and clergy from Kirkburton and Huddersfield were there to support the 600 mourners gathered in the town centre church to say goodbye.
"With Katelyn's death, the normal order of life and death has been turned on its head. There is not road map for our emotions,' she told the packed church.
Candles were lit and books of condolence were opened and many mourners remained in church lighting candles and sharing stories during Katelyn’s committal at the crematorium and a bell was tolled at 3pm to mark that time.
Katelyn died after a car smashed into the bus stop on Wakefield Road in Moldgreen where she was waiting to go to school on January 10. Another school friend is still critical in hospital. An investigation is ongoing.