Heartwarming images of Jessica Falkholt’s life have been shared with family and friends at the funeral service for the young Home and Away actress – showing the strong bond she shared with her sister.
Loved ones of the Falkholts gathered in Sydney’s north-west on Monday to farewell the 28-year-old who died last week after her life support was tragically turned off.
Jessica, who found fame on the small screen in the long-running TV soap, was one of five casualties from a horror Boxing Day car crash that also claimed the lives of her father Lars, mother Vivian and younger sister Annabelle.
Photographs in the order of service show Jessica at different stages of her young life, including poignant picture of her and her sister before what appears to be a formal.
Heartwarming images of Jessica Falkholt’s life have been shared with family and friends at the funeral service for the young Home and Away actress
Photographs in the order of service show Jessica at different stages of her young life, including poignant picture of her and her sister before what appears to be a formal, a starry-eyed shot of her as a young girl and a more recent image of the beautiful actress
Images shared with guests show Jessica’s closeness with family and friends, posing for photos in various places around the world
Hundreds packed out St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ryde for Jessica’s funeral less than a fortnight after the service for her family.
Jessica spent almost three weeks in a coma at St George Hospital before doctors switched off her life support system the day after her parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60 and younger sister Annabelle, 21 were farewelled.
Home and Away stars Pia Miller, Jackson Heywood, Philippa Northeast and Isabella Giovinazzo were among the mourners.
The group spoke to members of Jessica’s family before entering the church.
Images shared with guests show Jessica’s closeness with family and friends, particularly her sister Annabelle, with the two appearing in several beautiful photos together.
A picture of a starry-eyed Jessica at a young age casts a striking resemblance to recent images of the beautiful actress.
Other shots show Jessica as a toddler, with friends travelling around the world through her adolescent years and enjoying her life that was tragically cut short.
Other shots show Jessica as a toddler, with friends travelling around the world through her adolescent years and enjoying her life that was tragically cut short
The beautifully decorated coffin is wheeled into St Mary’s Catholic Church, where her family were farewelled just weeks earlier
Much-loved actress Jessica Falkholt (far right) died last Wednesday from injuries suffered in the Boxing Day car crash that also killed her parents (left) and younger sister (right)
In each of the photos shared in the order of service she is always laughing and smiling, sentiments reflected in the eulogy performed by her cousin Cathy Randazzo.
‘To us, her family, she was a mature, well mannered, kind and vibrant woman,’ Ms Randazzo told the overflowing church.
‘She loved her family, she loved travelling, going on family picnics and she adored her late grandparents.
‘She followed her dreams and chose to be an actor, and she was really really good at it.
‘I seek comfort in knowing she is with her family now. Her and Annabelle were the centre of her mum and dad’s world.
‘Her mum was her biggest supporter, rest assured she is being smothered with love and hugs from Vivian, Lars and Annabelle right now.
‘She is no longer in pain and being the positive person she was, she would want us to be happy too.’
A white coffin adorned with red and pink roses is seen as its taken out of the black hearse
Mourners embrace each other as they arrive for the young star’s funeral service
In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to be made to Australian Cancer Research
Jessica’s uncle Paul Ponticello, who just 12 days earlier spoke in the same church at the funeral of her parents and sister, told how she had shown her typical determination as she fought for her life.
Mr Ponticello also praised those who risked their lives in an effort to save the Falkholt family, while admitting it was hard to come to terms with their loss at the hands of serial driving offender Craig Anthony Whitall.
‘Jessica’s determination and strength of character shone through as she clinged to life for three weeks before succumbing to her injuries,’ Mr Ponticello said.
‘An entire family has been taken by events totally beyond their control.
‘What occurred does not fit neatly within he definition of accident.
Mourners are seen embracing each other as the funeral service gets underway
Mourners come together at St Mary’s Catholic Church to farewell Jessica Falkholt
Pia Miller has joined hundreds of mourners as they arrive at the funeral of the fellow Home and Away star
‘A heartfelt thanks goes out to those who risked personal safety to drag both Jessica and Annabelle from the wreckage, which gave the girls, albeit slim, a chance of survival.’
‘Jess’ inquisitive nature was evident as a child as she would more often than not lead the pack and become the centre of attention.
‘This enthusiasm developed into a drive and determination throughout her schooling and a decision to follow her dream, and pursue an action careers, was nothing short of courageous.
‘Beautiful Jess, you made us proud. You were a rising star. Shine bright above us, you will always be remembered and in our hearts forever.’