The family of Tasmanian teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell have paid tribute to their ‘bubbly and energetic young girl’ at a moving farewell in Burnie today.
Hundreds filled Parkside Funerals on Saturday morning for Shyanne-Lee’s funeral, with those there to mourn her told the state was grieving with them.
The casket carrying Shyanne-Lee, who would have turned 15 this month, sat at the front of the chapel, covered with flowers.
Directed by Shyanne’s former Montello Primary School principal, Denise Witherspoon, the ceremony heard heartfelt tributes from her family.
Shyanne-Lee’s mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell said she would never be whole again.
“My sweet darling daughter Shyanne-Lee. To no longer see your face breaks me every day.”
“You were taken so suddenly. I didn’t get to tell you just how much I love you and that you were my life.”
“The hurt I felt when you passed cut me so deep. I will never be complete again.”
Ms Ketchell said she would “never be free from the grief”.
“It’s a solid stone deep inside me.”
“I wear a mask of coping but I am in complete despair. I cannot mend what is broken, my heart is beyond repair.”
“I’ll smile if I have to, but again it’s just a mask and I’ll say I’m OK but I cannot be happy.”
“Continue to shine bright mum’s baby girl.”
Earlier: The funeral of a 14-year-old Tasmanian teenager believed to have been murdered will take place in Burnie this morning.
Shyanne-Lee Tatnell will be remembered by family and friends at Parkside Funerals from 11AM.
The service will be open to the public and live-streamed online, with attendees encouraged to bring a handwritten message to be placed with Shyanne-Lee.
The teenager’s remains were found on a remote bushland track in Nebowla a fortnight ago after multiple extensive searches by Police.
36-year-old Scottsdale man Christopher Mark Jordan has been charged with her murder and remains in custody.
Last week, her family and friends celebrated her fifteenth birthday with a gathering in Launceston’s City Park.
Shyanne-Lee’s mother hopes her daughter’s legacy will raise awareness of child safety.
“I want Shyanne’s legacy to make awareness of holding your kids tight, be aware of safety, being out after dark. I hope her legacy is like that to help other families,” Bobbi-Lee Ketchell said.
“This was not the outcome that we had hoped, but I’m a blessed mom to have my child, to be able to farewell her.”
“She was taken too soon and she had her life ahead of her.”
