"My beautiful baby girl was taken from us, but she will live through her children."
They were the words no father should ever have to say.
The bittersweet eulogy by Regan Tierney's dad echoed around the church as mourners wiped away tears at her funeral.
The 27-year-old mum-of-two's life was cut tragically short at her Walkden home earlier this month. She was found with stab wounds.
Her ex-partner Daniel Patten, 31, was found in a critical condition and died two days later, on Friday, June 7.
Police treated the case as a murder/suicide.
Regan's friends and family gathered in their hundreds to pay their respects at St Paul's church on Thursday.
The raw, overwhelming emotion was palpable, but those who loved Regan were determined to celebrate her life.
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It was a chance to tell stories about young woman who doted on her children; to remember the special moments she shared with each and every person there.
Dad Dave's eulogy was read out by Reverend David Cooper.
"She worshiped her children, she was bubbly and had a smile on her face", he said.
"[She'll] be in my heart and thoughts always."
Regan's brave sister Shannon also spoke.
She 'wasn't just a sister', she said, but her 'best friend in the universe'.
Shannon, 24, always looked up to her, saying Regan was a talented swimmer who won 'medals and trophies'.
"I was the annoying little sister hanging around with her at parties", she joked.
As youngsters, the pair would dance together to their dad's CD of Rapper's Delight, the church was told.
And if the playful pair weren't dancing, they were doing magic shows in the back garden, Shannon said.
They would go on family trips to Blackpool and would spend their free time riding their bikes.
"So many memories I will cherish for the rest of my life", she added.
Regan - mum to Lorelei, seven, and Dexter, four - raised her 'amazing children' 'to be gentle and kindhearted', Shannon said.
Earlier this month, Shannon pledged to adopt the orphaned children following Regan's death.
Breaking down in tears at the pulpit, the heartbroken sister said: "I never thought I’d have to live without my sister, I will honour her.
"I will love you for eternity - you are my forever friend."
A beautiful photo of Regan in a wooden frame was placed on top of the coffin as Revd Cooper spoke of how she was 'made of love'.
Members of the congregation hugged and wiped away tears as the coffin was carried away to the strains of Lewis Capaldi's Someone You Loved.
Mourners, wearing purple ribbon brooches, gathered outside in the sunhine to pay their respects as the coffin was lowered into the hearse.
The family released a statement thanking all for attending the funeral following the service.
"The family would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sent messages of condolences, made donations and helped in so many ways and are continuing to do so in memory of our beautiful Regan", it read.
"Walkden, as a community, has overwhelmed us with their support and love.
"We would also like to thank all the professional bodies for their continued support for the family.
"Regan is finally at peace now, but she will always be remembered and deeply missed."
