Rising Labor star and three-time Maribyrnong Mayor Sarah Carter has been remembered as a ‘force of nature’ after her untimely death.
Hundreds of family, friends, and community members gathered at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Friday to farewell the beloved 45-year-old.
She is believed to have died from a brain aneurysm earlier this month just days after returning from an overseas trip.
Daily Mail Australia earlier revealed that her partner, Melbourne pilot Nikhil Roy, found her body at home after she failed to meet him at the airport as planned.
The couple had planned a European getaway.
In an emotional address at her funeral on Friday, her mother Gaynor paid tribute to her ‘best friend’ whom she described as an ‘intelligent, vivacious and caring woman’ and a ‘force of nature’ who sought to change people’s lives for the better.
‘When I think of the things Sarah has achieved in her short life, my heart swells with pride because she fit more into 45 years of life than some people achieved in a lifetime,’ her mother told the crowd.
Ms Carter’s father David said the ‘overwhelming loss’ of his daughter was ‘unbearable’ and revealed her family was struggling to come to terms with her death.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Mr Carter said he felt ‘immense pride’ when thinking of his daughter’s life that had been ‘marked by unwavering dedication, compassion and a fierce commitment to making the world a better place’.
‘There is no doubt, given the opportunity, she would have achieved so much more and touched so many more lives,’ her father said in a tribute delivered by her sister Caroline.
‘Sarah’s impact was profound, and it was felt by those she worked with, those who she served and those who had the privilege of knowing her.’
Former three-time Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter died earlier this month
Daily Mail Australia earlier revealed that her partner , Melbourne pilot Nikhil Roy, found her body at home after she failed to meet him at the airport as planned. Pictured is Mr Roy speaking at her funeral
Friends of the 45-year-old are seen speaking following the death of Ms Carter
Ms Carter’s coffin is seen with a scarf from the AFL Hawthorn Hawks team draped over it
Hundreds of family, friends, and community members have gathered at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Friday to farewell the beloved 45-year-old (pictured is her partner Nikhil Roy)
Ms Carter’s siblings are seen speaking at the moving service
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten was one of many who farewelled Ms Carter at a funeral service at Flemington Racecourse on Friday
Ms Carter was the first woman to be elected as mayor of Maribyrnong three times and she received multiple awards for her contributions to the local community.
The councillor, who had been serving her fourth term, has been remembered as a trailblazing local politician who was a ‘role model’ and ‘an inspiration to girls and young women in the community’.
Her casket was covered with flowers including white lilies and red and pink roses.
Scarves from AFL team Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs were also hung over her casket.
In lieu of giving flowers, mourners were instead asked to donate to Save The Children on Ms Carter’s behalf which was considered her ‘life’s work’.
Ms Carter had travelled to Fiji, Jordan, Lebanon, Cambodia and Indonesia to help disadvantaged communities as part of her work for the charity.
Political heavyweights streamed into the racecourse on Friday afternoon, including former Labor leader Bill Shorten and Nationals MP Michael McCormack.
Ms Carter was found dead in her home in Melbourne’s inner west on August 6. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
It’s understood she suffered a sudden medical episode and was found by her partner Nikhil Roy.
‘She helped me believe in love, real and unconditional love, a life worth living,’ he said at the funeral service.
‘I didn’t know but our journey would be filled with adventure, devotion and sacrifice.
‘Our time together was the happiest of my life … she was my home.’
Ms Carter was found dead in her home in Melbourne’s inner west on August 6. Her death is not being treated as suspicious
Scarves from AFL team Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs were also hung over her casket
A bouquet of flowers was given by the Footscray Markets for Ms Carter’s funeral service
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