The funeral of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancomb, who was killed in a knife attack in Southport, celebrated her life with balloons, bubbles and the music of her favourite, Taylor Swift.
Her family described her as a “truly unforgettable” girl and a “devoted Swiftie” who “brought light, love and joy to so many lives”, and said they wanted to celebrate the day with “positivity, hope and love”.
In a statement released on the morning of the funeral, they said: “Elsie embraced life wholeheartedly and today, on ‘Elsie’s Special Day’, we celebrate her life with positivity, hope and love.”
“Elsie lived life with determination, tenacity, love and kindness and simply enjoyed it every day. Elsie was an incredible girl. She had the ability to light up any room she walked into. She will truly be remembered.”
Elsie, Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6, were fatally injured in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Street studio on July 29. Elsie’s funeral was the last one held for the victims of the attack.
Her family said: “She loved to dance and was, needless to say, an avid ‘Swiftie’. She was always up for anything and every activity and we all got involved.”
“She found a true passion in cheerleading and couldn’t wait for class every week. Her tenacity is admirable – from completing a three kilometre run and a 10 kilometre charity walk for a local hospice to achieving great results in her school’s library band, she gave 100% in everything she did and never gave up.”
The statement, which also included new photos of Elsie with her three-year-old sister Rosie and parents David and Jenny, read: “Our family mantra is: do your best and have fun, nothing else matters.”
“‘We are the four best friends in this whole wide world.’ This mantra will remain with us for the rest of our lives, knowing that Elsie is with us and in our hearts forever.”
“Elsie brought light, love and joy into so many people’s lives and that is evident from the overwhelming response from all who knew her and everyone in the community. We are always grateful for the love and support we have received over the past few weeks and are and will always be proud to live in Southport.”
“To that end, Elsie’s legacy will continue and our family will work to ensure that her influence and legacy lives on with positivity and hope, and that Elsie will be with us forever.”
Mourners, including the family’s beloved dog Bobby, gathered outside St John’s Church in Birkdale to watch the arrival of the horse-drawn carriage which left the family home through streets decorated with pink ribbons.
Among those in attendance were emergency workers and Ibrahim Hussain, imam of Southport Mosque, which was damaged when violence erupted in the city the day after the attack.
Elsie’s coffin was decorated with flowers and blue stuffed toys and carried on a pink carpet to a balloon arch at the church’s entrance while members of Elsie’s cheerleading team, Vortex Cheer, formed a guard of honour and blew bubbles into the air.
The church was filled with color as mourners were asked to wear pastels and bright colors instead of black, and as Elsie’s casket was carried out of the church, a young woman sang one of her favorite songs, “Love Story” by Taylor Swift.
After the service, hundreds of people gathered nearby broke their silence and applauded as the procession passed a floral tribute in Southport town centre.
The funeral procession was followed by nine red Royal Mail vans, each tied with pink ribbons, in tribute to Elsie’s father, David, who was a postal worker.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, is charged with the murders of Elsie, Alice and Bebe, the attempted murders of lecturer Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and possession of a curved-blade kitchen knife.
