Gift of Annalise

Reporter: Robbie Gill
Date published: 08 January 2014


OVER 100 mourners squeezed into Oldham Crematorium to witness the funeral of 12-year-old Annalise Holt, killed in an accident on a Shaw zebra crossing before Christmas.
Reverend Patricia Tidy led a poignant ceremony for friends and family, who wept as she recounted their tragic loss.

Annalise’s favourite band, JLS, played as the 12-year-old’s pink coffin was carried into the crematorium. Inconsolable friends and family left the Hollinwood venue to One Direction’s “Story of my Life”.

Sophia, Annalise’s 11-year-old friend seriously hurt in the same accident, overcame her injuries to attend the service in a wheelchair and celebrate the life of her “bright and caring” friend.

Patricia Tidy told the assembly: “This is one of the most difficult and tragic events you will ever have to bear. You come carrying some of the deepest pain imaginable and even for those who have known hardship before, nothing can prepare you for the emotion and anguish you now feel.”

The Rev Tidy concluded the ceremony with a powerful message to mourners to treasure their lives and and the time spent with friends and loved ones.

She said: “For the family of Annalise, their hopes and dreams were shattered in an instant and they feel nothing but emptiness inside.

“Life is a very precious and fragile gift which is never to be taken for granted. We gather today simply to give our thanks to the gift of Annalise.”