People hugged each other tightly outside the church where Elle Edwards started her final journey.
Today (Wednesday, January 25) family and close friends attended St Nicholas Church in Wallasey to celebrate the 26-year-old's life. Elle died when a gunman opened fire at the Lighthouse pub, Wallasey Village, shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve.
Hundreds of mourners gathered on the road surrounding the church, even well-wishers who do not know the family, but had been touched by the tragedy.
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A local resident who lives nearby told the ECHO: “We just felt we had to be here. We wanted to mark our respect.”
Another added: "It’s just absolutely tragic and a waste of life. That family will never recover. It’s heartbreaking.”
Crowds who lined the streets fell silent as mourners dressed in black arrived at the church ahead of a horse-drawn carriage bearing Elle's coffin. A hearse leading the procession contained a beautiful white floral arrangement reading "Elle May".
Family members went inside the church for the funeral service, led by Reverend Jeff Staples, who has been in regular contact with Elle’s family. He told mourners there was "much in Elle's life that needs to be celebrated".
Rev Staples said: "It's not my place to add anything more to what has been said by Elle's family about Elle. So, what words do I add for our gathering today?
"Well I'm going to speak about two very important needs, the need for peace, and the need for hope. [Elle's dad] Tim mentioned in an interview about how he and Elle used to find great joy walking in the Lakes, so I hope Tim doesn't mind me mentioning that when he met me the other day here in St Nicholas the two of us spoke about finding peace.
"Tim said that he found peace when walking up to the top of a high hill and stopping to gaze out. He experienced stillness and calm, I think that is how many people seek peace, isn't it? To get out of the local hub-bub of life and just be in a place of calmness, of stillness, to be in the moment.
"Being at peace is important right now. It's always important, but it's particularly important right now. It's important because many of you, if not all, will be going through a whole range of emotions: sadness and grief, obviously, maybe anger, fear, anxiety, shock or bewilderment.
"May I also share something Elle's grandad George said the other day, and again I hope he doesn't mind. George said that we needed to leave this place today with hope in our hearts.
"How true is that? If we lose hope, then the darkness of evil has gained a victory. All of us have been touched by the darkness in these past weeks at one level or another, it is just as Tim said."
Following the service the family returned to their vehicles as people in the street hugged each other tightly. Elle was then driven to a private service at Landican Cemetery and Crematorium.
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