By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
THE words on the tribute screen said it all: “One day can change everything.”
It was an understated reminder of 13-year-old Shaye Kosky’s death to the 500-plus family, friends, students and teachers at her Bunurong Memorial Park funeral last Monday.
The Dandenong High School student was struck by a car outside the school on March 6.
Many mourners wore pink — Shaye’s favourite colour — the colour of her coffin and the 13 balloons released, marking each of her tender years. Balloons drifted high and out of sight, towards Shaye’s Dandenong North home.
Then butterflies — which Shaye loved to chase as a younger girl — were let go among mourners. In a sublime moment, one nestled on the sleeve of Shaye’s father Tony.
He, Shaye’s mother Stacey Brown and older sister Jacinta shared heartbreaking eulogies to their “princess” and “angel” — remembered as a caring, popular animal lover, a little mischievous and a bit of a klutz. Ms Brown spoke of the things she’d miss: Shaye’s “magic smile” and “the silly little things you used to say”.
Jacinta, 16, described her many memories of her “other half”, each starting with a smile. She said the reminiscing ended with tears knowing they’d never make another memory together.
Among favourite quirky memories of her sister were Shaye labelling a bunch of local boys “One Direction” after her favourite band and giving a boy Jacinta’s number because “you thought he was hot but he was too old for you”. “I don’t know what to do without my other half.”
Mr Kosky said Shaye was the most beautiful baby — blonde hair, blue eyes — who became everyone’s best friend. “Shaye, fly away,” he said. “Be our angel above.”
Click on Vale Shaye Kosky: Hundreds farewell popular Dandenong school girl for more pictures.
