The daughter of Bernadette Connolly hailed her as "beautiful, funny, kind and true" during an emotional speech at her funeral this afternoon.
The 49-year-old went missing on January 7 and her daughter Jade launched a high-profile campaign to find her mother.
Last Thursday it was tragically confirmed that her body had been found on a beach in Blackpool.
Bernadette was laid to rest during her funeral mass in St Cronan's Church, Swords today.
Read more: Bernadette Connolly: Irish public pays sympathies to family ahead of funeral
A guard of honour was formed outside the church by her colleagues at Dublin Airport, where she worked for 17 years.
Jade told mourners her mother "brought so much love, light and laughter" into people's lives and recalled the night she first went missing.
She said: "Mam, I will never forget the day, the day that changed all of our lives forever. Being told you were missing, last seen on a beach, the sense of helplessness that we all felt.
"Police, helicopters, boats, drones, sniffer dogs, men on horses trying to find you."
Jade said her mother's voice came to her and said "don't give up".
"That night I stayed up looking outside your bedroom window, hoping to see your face look down the road, hoping this was just a dream," she continued.
"I woke up, this wave came over me, your voice in my ear telling me 'get up, don't give up'.
"A feeling of hope, a light in the dark. It was then that I needed to fight for you and I know you know that's exactly what I did.
"Shouting your name, I would have walked to the end of the earth for you.
"I cannot say I did it alone. Beautiful people, they opened their hearts to us, walking alongside our family and friends, all with the common goal of bringing you home.
"Granny and Granddad praying so hard, a nation pulling together to help our family, so much love.
"It was that love that lit a path that brought you back to us and we are so blessed to have you back home again."
Jade vowed to make more memories on behalf of Bernadette and called her "my teacher, my protector, my world".
She said: "Today is a day for you to be celebrated. Everyone here shares memories with you. Love, laughter and kindness that knew no bounds.
"Our bond is unbreakable, it is so, so strong. We're the best of friends who shared many laughs, many cries, highs and lows.
"Countless memories that will live on forever and I promise to make many more for us both.
"I wanted to say how proud I am to be your daughter. My teacher, my protector, my world."
Jade promised her mam that she would continue to care for her grandparents.
"Granny and granddad, you and I were a team who stuck together like glue, a chain that can't ever be broken.
"I vow to you that I will continue to take good care of them both. I will try to live up to you and be the best person I can be.
"Nothing can ever take your place and I know there will always be a void.
"How do I go on without you by my side? But you're not really gone are you mam?
"I see you when I look in the mirror, your big smile looking back at me. Your strength keeping me strong, catching me when I fall."
Jade said she will go to Turkey to celebrate her mam's 50th birthday and will "do it in style".
"Thank you for giving me everything in life. This year will be our big birthdays. Your 50th, yeah 50, even though a lot of them are saying 45, I know you're happy about that. I can hear you laughing over that mam.
"And my 30th. Mam, I will be going to Turkey to mark your day and I'll do it in style because you and I, well we never did things by halves did we mam?"
A number of gifts were presented at the altar that symbolised Bernadette's life, including her work diary, a tag Jade wore as a newborn and her dog Gucci's collar.
A letter was also read out on behalf of Bernadette's siblings, Anto, Des and Madeline.
It read: "In the midst of this darkness, you gave us the most precious gift, Jade, who we will cherish forever.
"Jade at the forefront, who shone the light for all of us. Our beacon of hope, who kept us fighting to bring you home."
They siblings added they were "so proud to call you our beautiful sister" and "take comfort in knowing that your love is always with us".
Bernadette was then brought to Dardistown Crematorium for cremation.
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