Smart, funny and beautiful inside and out, tragic schoolgirl Melissa Tate always put others before herself.
But today was all about Melissa as all those who came to love her during her short life came together to give her the send-off she deserved.
Dressed in blue, which had been the 10-year-old's favourite colour, mourners young and old gathered at Newcastle's West Road Crematorium to remember a little girl who had so much to live for.
Melissa died after she was struck by a van near her home, in Kenton , Newcastle, last month.
But tears mixed with laughter at her funeral today as happy memories of the fun-loving little girl's life were shared.
Mountfield Primary School, where Melissa, who was known as Missy, had been a pupil closed for the day to let her young friends attend the service.
The youngsters created a sea of bubbles with bubble guns as their friend's pale blue coffin was driven into the crematorium grounds.
And family members dressed in personalised blue T-Shirts, including Melissa's dad Michael, carried her into the chapel to the sound of one of her favourite songs, Shotgun by George Ezra.
Melissa's mum Kimberley Wilson stood up to speak of her little girl's love for her pals.
"First I want to thank absolutely everyone, you have been awesome," she said. "School was such a big part of her life. She would have been so happy and so grateful to all of you. She loved you all so much.
"You are all just so amazing, the way you have been here for us. I'm so glad that although it's heartbreaking what's happened she had people who were with her who loved her and she would be so grateful for that."
Humanist celebrant Tracy Heron, shared stories from Melissa's brief but fun-filled life.
"Melissa meant so much to he family and and her friends so we will remember the happier times," she said.
Ms Heron told how Melissa had been a laid back content child since she was born.
"She began her life as she meant to go on, so laid back," she said. "She was no bother, she slept well, fed well, she was as good as gold."
Melissa's little sister Lili was born 18 months later and once she became a toddler the pair were inseparable.
"They became a team, a duo, a double act," said Ms Heron. "Melissa always looked out for Lili."
Described Melissa's time at Mountfield Ms Heron continued: "She was a model pupil, she was so good and well-behaved. She took part in all the activities. She enjoyed learning, she was devastated when she had to stay off school when she caught chicken pox.
"As soon as she got in from school she would get changed and go back out with her friends.
"Missy had the best of all worlds, she was active, she loved school and she loved to relax with her family.
"She always had so much to look forward to."
She said: "The moment you came into our lives you changed them forever. With your big smile that cheered everybody up, you always thought about other people first.
"You were a happy, fun, caring, loving person that everybody loved. We were so proud to call you our grand-daughter and that will never change."
Connor Marsden, 23, of Ambridge Way, Kenton, is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on October 28, charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
