Purple and pink balloons for Jodi’s sad farewell (From Gazette)

Purple and pink balloons for Jodi’s sad farewell

10:00pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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FRIENDS and relatives turned out in droves to bid a sad farewell to a Colchester girl who died from a rare bone marrow disorder.

Jodi O’Rahilly, 12, from Greenstead, died on March 4, after an 18-month battle with severe aplastic anaemia, a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.

The service of celebration and thanksgiving for Jodi’s life, at Colchester Crematorium yesterday, saw the Rev Mary West, read moving tributes from Jodi’s mum, Laura Morgan, and stepdad, Dominic.

Mrs Morgan described Jodi as a “special” and “awesome” daughter who she shared a strong emotional bond with.

Ms West spoke of Jodi’s calm and caring nature and her love of animals.

The youngster had a gift for poetry, and verses she had written days before her death, were read out during the service.

The upbeat strains of a favourite tune, Dancing in the Moonlight by rock band Toploader resounded in the chapel during the service.

Jodi had been a pupil at Willow Brook Primary School, Colchester, moving on to St Helena School, where she was a pupil when she first fell ill.

Teachers spoke of her as a bright and clever pupil, with a love of learning despite frequent ill-health.

Dire Straits’ moving song, Why Worry?, was played as Jodi’s coffin was brought into the chapel and again as it was taken away at the end of the service in a hearse with balloons in Jodi’s favourite colours, pink and purple, tied to its roof.

A memorial to Jodi and a fundraising website, jodis world.tv, have been set up by the family, to help raise money for the Sick Children’s Trust.

She leaves behind Mr and Mrs Morgan, stepbrother, James, 12, sister Lauren, ten, and brothers David, six, and William, four weeks.