Justine Holden's memory board

Good afternoon and welcome to this ceremony to honour the life of Justine Holden – or Juzzi, as she was most affectionately known. On behalf of Juzzi’s family, I would like to thank you for your attendance here today, and for the love and support that you have shown them, during this time. My name is Anne Edwards, and as your celebrant, on behalf of White Lady Funerals in Epping, it is my deep privilege to officiate today. Juzzi touched many lives, family and friends alike, and was considered to be a more than integral part of many groups – all of whom have expressed their deep sadness at her loss. These messages have let her family know just how much Juzzi was loved and admired, and reinforce how special she was, not only to them, but also to many others. There are few words of comfort than can cushion the shock experienced when you are faced with sudden and unexpected death. Even more so, when that death is the death of one who was so young and so vital. Today, in remembering and thinking about her as a group of family and friends – you remember Juzzi with love, and you cherish the shared years, days or hours you spent in her company. You continue your support of her family and friends and live each day focusing on happier times with Juzzi as today, you celebrate her life. Now to truly honour Juzzi today, we are not going to go down a very formal track. Yes – she would want you to miss her – to mourn and to grieve for her – and you do. But more than that, because she was so very generous of spirit, Juzzi would want you to embrace her memory and truly celebrate her life – as today, she is very much our absolute guest of honour. Let’s just pause for a moment and feel her presence. A humanist once wrote that the separateness, the uniqueness of each human life was the basis of our grief in bereavement. “Look through the whole world, and there is no one like the one you have lost”. And this could most certainly apply to Juzzi – you could search the world over and not find another one quite like her. She truly was unique. Many of Juzzi’s unique qualities have been recalled in recent days as family and friends have spent time together, simply reminiscing. Those qualities were what made Juzzi who she was – and you are going to hear about just some of them today, as family and friends pay tribute to her life. Invitation to Joanne And who better to start with than her Mum – I ask Joanne to join me now as she leads your thoughts on Juzzi today, with the eulogy. Thank you Joanne Musical Interlude – That’ll Be Me – Gina Jeffreys A moment of reflection now as you listen to Gina Jeffrey’s with That’ll Be Me – in dedication from Justine, to Danielle. Invitation to other speakers I know that many of you here today have your own wonderful memories of Juzzi – so if anyone would like to come and join me, to perhaps share one of their own memories with everyone, please do so now. Thank you to all of you who have been so kind as to do this. Facebook tributes Since Juzzi passed away, friends have taken to Facebook to express their thoughts; and I am going to share just a few of those with you now. Juzzi, u are and always will be one in 10,000,000,000,000. Ten billion You had the cheekiest smile I've ever seen and the cheekiest sense of humour. You were selfless, caring, giving and beautiful. You brought out the best in everyone. Yours and Del’s relationship is so inspiring, you brought out the very best in one another, I had never seen Del as happy as she was when she found you – you lit up any room with plenty of laughs and that cheeky sparkle. I will miss the devil that you are & the filter that you lacked. Thank you for all of the laughs, education and love that you provided me with. But most of all, Juzzi, thank you for being you. Love u forever n always Juzz I'm gunna miss u soo much u taught me so much made me happy when I was down and made laugh when I cry. Some of the best times of my life were with u and I will them in my heart and soul forever and I will cherish them always and for ever. Cheers to u Juzz an amazing person who could light the very life of any dark day love you Juzz yours truly You changed our world, you made us laugh, you cared for us and stood by us, you may be gone but never forgotten but your memory remain in our hearts forever. Juzz you will be missed but we will see you again. R.I.P Juzzi Still speechless Juzz, I don't think you really knew how much you had an impact on others. A wise woman who had a gift of lifting others & making us all laugh until we cried. Thank you for being you & know we will be looking after your beautiful lady. Xoxo Such a smile, such a life. I only knew you for a little while, but the memory will last forever. 
You will be a shining star...
I found this poem and my thoughts drifted to your beautiful girl, who you have left for a while. ... For I know you will be together again one day. 

 A new day dawns once again. I stare at where you used to lay your head. 
 I close my eyes, your face I plainly see. 
That smile that could always bring me to my knees. 
 Those eyes that saw into the very soul of me.
 My heart aches for the touch of your hands on my skin. 
 The taste of your kiss on my lips. 
 I've come to understand what the meaning of loneliness is.
 I wipe away a tear. It's almost more than I can bear. 
 I pray for the strength to get me through another day without you! Musical Interlude – I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders Another bit of music now, and this next piece really sums up the person Juzzi was – I am sure the words will resonate with all of you here today. Epilogue Until earlier this week, I did not know of a young lady named Justine Holden. In spending time with some of her family yesterday afternoon, I learnt about a girl who has left this earth way too soon. Juzzi was described as being dynamic and fun. She had a great sense of humour and was absolutely “king of the kids”. Juzzi never harboured any great desires to be an adult. Life was for living and having fun, and she most certainly did that. Juzzi believed in letting kids express themselves – she let them push the boundaries – Juzzi always used to say, “they are kids – let them be kids!” She was a great sounding board for her nieces and nephews, a favourite aunt who treated them with respect and honesty – so when Juzzi pulled them up on anything, they listened and treated her with the same respect and honesty. Juzzi was often funny whether she meant to be or not and definitely in touch with her inner klutz – she could trip over a crack in the footpath. Tripping over her words as easily as Juzzi tripped over herself, her partner, Danielle said the she had some fantacular falls – we thought we’d make that a word for today – in Juzzi’s honour. Her sense of humour was smutty at best – you could say anything to her and Juzzi would have some sexual connotation to go with it. She has passed some of this onto her niece – who is definitely following in her wonderful footsteps. Juzzi used to tell inappropriate stories to the children and even encourage some inappropriate behaviour – leaving it for their parents to set them in the right direction. It was all in good fun as were the ghost stories she used to tell them – Juzzi used to go ghost hunting at night-time and then make up stories for the kids about ghosts and scarecrows. Funnily enough Juzzi was absolutely terrified of scary movies – however this did not stop her from taking the kids to cemeteries where “the dead people live” as she used to say; often followed by, “don't tell Nanna I took you to where the dead people live”. She would flap her hands at the sight of blood or a spider and squeal like a girl. The other thing Juzzi was scared of was computers and anything that remotely resembled technology – and her workmates will attest to this. She loved board games – playing trivia games with the family, and other games that made you think were something that Juzzi particularly enjoyed. But I suspect it was more about spending time with the people she loved. Of simple pleasures, Juzzi loved to read – fantasy, and a good murder mystery – thus the giving of a bookmark today – just a way to keep her memory alive in all of you. She liked watching Desperate Housewives on television along with Merlin, Game of Thrones, The L Word and NCIS – Juzzi has every episode of these last two on DVD. She liked to shop in Officeworks – another family trait – a “hunter and collector of stationery”. Generous and bighearted Juzzi would do anything for anyone she called a friend. She had this natural ability to make people feel better about themselves. She could make you see parts of yourself that you didn't see – and had this incredible ability should draw things out of people of which they were completely unaware. The same for her family – Juzzi would ask a seemingly simple or silly question that would make them stop and think – and then they would become aware of this quality that she could see. For as much as she recognised in other people, Juzzi recognised very little in herself and underestimated have valuable she really was in this family – she underestimated the impact she had on other people's lives and never really knew how much people needed her. There were many family celebrations, where they gathered for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions – with the most recent being the birth of her niece. And despite the fact that Juzzi said to Danielle for weeks beforehand “I’m not holding that baby; do not make me hold that baby” because she was terrified she would drop her – Juzzi nursed her new niece with a gentleness and softness that seemed to shine through in everything she did where her family was concerned. Juzzi led a simple life – where she never wanted for much. As long as she had her panel van and an endless supply of socks – she was happy. But the one thing that made her truly happy, that made her life complete was her relationship with Danielle. On the day that they realised their feelings for one another, Juzzi nearly pushed Danni into the lake at The Jack Roper Reserve – and if you look on the jetty there, you will see that etched into it are the words “Juzzi loves Danni”. Closing words of epilogue If you’re looking for a common theme here, let me make it easier for you. No matter how many stories you tell about Juzzi today, they will always come back to the same things – family and friends. That was what life was all about for Juzzi – and having the people in her life around her was what made it special. Juzzi was always happy to see you – and give you one of those big hugs her mother talked about before. Juzzi made people smile – and that is probably how she would like you to remember her – her contagious smile and infectious laugh – and her amazing sense of fun. In a number of ways, death unites us all. Juzzi’s death, for a time, demands that each of us puts aside our toil, our cares, our business and our pleasure, to unite ourselves with everyone else here – just as you have done today. It is at times like this that you stop the rush of life, pause for a little while and just reflect. When you think about Juzzi’s life, there is a lot to reflect on. Today, you recalled the experiences and the relationship you shared with Juzzi. Today you have commemorated her life and you have mourned her passing. Musical Interlude A final musical interlude now as you listen to She’s Got A Way – Billy Joel Committal – This brings us to the final part of our ceremony today, our words of committal You came together today as Juzzi’s family and friends to comfort each other in your grief as you honour the life that she led. A life that was full of hope, happiness, laughter and love, through good times as well as bad. This is how you will always remember Juzzi. That she lived her life as an example to each and every person she met. That love is an action – not just a feeling. Let us honour her memory by the following promises: To treat our family and friends the way the Juzzi did – with a caring heart and honest interaction. To move through life with a quick wit, a generous laugh and a brilliant smile. And the commitment to holding our hearts open to allow others into our lives. Justine Holden Your life you honour Your departure you accept. Your memory you cherish. In grief at your death, but in gratitude for your life, and the privilege of sharing it with you – you will commit your body to the purifying elements as you wish that you may rest in peace, harmony and tranquillity. Music – Big Girl - Mika To each of you here This is the time for you to grieve Juzzi’s death but it is also the time for you to celebrate her life. So, as you reflect on, and remember how Juzzi touched your lives – remember how she made you laugh and how she made you cry, and how good Juzzi was as a person. And be thankful that you were given the chance to have known a woman named Juzzi Holden.