‘Precious little life’: Heidi Jean Foote, 3, farewelled in Ocean Grove
A gorgeous and ‘shining’ Ocean Grove toddler has been farewelled in an emotion charged funeral.
Geelong
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A gorgeous and bubbly Ocean Grove toddler has been farewelled in an emotional funeral service on Wednesday.
Heidi Jean Foote was remembered as a girl that shone her light on all she knew before her tragic death on April 11, aged just three years and seven months.
She was hit by an electric car while she walked on a footpath in the Bellarine Peninsula town.
Her death comes just weeks after Teesdale schoolboy Caleb Wesley, 6, was killed as he walked to a bus stop.
Live music played in front of hundreds of mourners at The Wave Baptist Church, where Heidi’s heartbroken parents, Nathan and Liesl Foote, are regular attendees.
Her father said he would miss the bedtime routine with his daughter the most.
“Cuddles in bed, that was our time,” he said.
A prammdoll, a red bike with blue helmet and a bucket and spade were displayed inside the church.
Books, a blue chair and backpack and her sneakers could also be seen, just a few of her favourite things.
Her parents said Heidi was on the move from the moment she entered the world, always humming a tune as she ate and singing herself to sleep every night.
She loved Australian birds and books and would grab piles of them to encourage her many relatives and friends to read to her.
She was riding a pedal bike at just two-and-a-half, a testament to her determination and can-do attitude.
Family camping trips alongside her little sister, Bonnie, and special nature walks in the rain, hail or shine were just some of the cherished memories set to live on in their hearts and minds.
“My darling Heidi girl.....I will miss you dearly,” Mrs Foote said.
Heidi was described by her loving cousins with words including confident, shining, happy, giggly, unique, courageous, fun, vibrant and gentle.
She was also incredibly intelligent with a memory and recall that belied her years, mourners heard.
“We love you to the moon and back, and back again,” Mr Foote said.
A moving presentation of videos and pictures was played to the backdrop of songs including her favourite “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”.
And shine bright it did in a life cut tragically short.
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Originally published as ‘Precious little life’: Heidi Jean Foote, 3, farewelled in Ocean Grove
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