Hundreds of mourners farewell London Bridge terror attack victim Kirsty Boden at Loxton

THE mother of London Bridge hero Kirsty Boden has said a tearful farewell to her daughter, as hundreds of people gathered in Loxton for her funeral.

LONDON terror-attack victim Kirsty Boden loved Ed Sheeran’s hit song Thinking Out Loud so much that she and partner James Hodder had talked about playing it at their future wedding.

But instead of using the song to celebrate their marriage, the tune was played to remember Ms Boden’s life, which was tragically cut short earlier this month.

Ms Boden was one of eight people killed on June 3 when three attackers in a van ran down pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers in nearby Borough Market.

The nurse from Loxton in the Riverland was later hailed the “Angel of London Bridge” after she ran towards the scene to help others in the midst of the attack.

A crowd of mourners follows Kirsty Boden’s hearse after her funeral. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Kirsty Boden’s mother, Tina, farewells her daughter at the funeral in Loxton on Monday. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Kirsty Boden’s memorial card. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

The 28-year-old was farewelled in front of about 400 family members and friends at a funeral service at the Loxton Swimming Pool on Monday afternoon.

Ms Boden’s heartbroken parents Tina and Ken Boden, brother Chris and partner James Hodder were among the mourners.

Dozens of floral tributes were laid poolside and many other bunches on flowers were placed around the township in honour of Ms Boden.

Mourners arrived to music by Sheeran before Ms Boden’s father Ken Boden bravely presented the first eulogy.

He proudly told those gathered at the ceremony that his “sweet and independent” daughter “always gave 110 per cent”.

Kirsty Boden’s pallbearers break into tears. Picture: Mike Burton

Mourners at the funeral for Kirsty Boden in Loxton. Ms Boden was killed during the London terror attacks on June 3. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Mr Boden said his daughter, who was a talented swimmer and netballer, decided to become a nurse and studied nursing at Flinders University in Renmark.

She graduated in 2010 and worked as a nurse at the Loxton Hospital and then at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital.

She volunteered to help children with disabilities in Vietnam and loved to travel.

Mr Boden said his daughter left for London in March, 2013.

The funeral for Kirsty Boden in Loxton, northeast of Adelaide, on Monday. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

“Kirsty was happy in London — she loved her life, she loved her (boyfriend) James,” he said.

“Kirsty meant to world to us and we are so proud of our beautiful, independent, adventurous, brave and kind sister and daughter. Kirsty, we will love you forever.”

Ms Boden’s boyfriend James ‘Jimbo’ Hodder lovingly spoke about his partner of four years.

“I first met Kirsty when we both moved into the same flat in London just after Kirsty first moved to the UK,” he said.

“She completely floored me with her smile and kindness.”

Mr Hodder recalled a time when he and Ms Boden had coffee in Covent Garden, saying it was one of the many occasions when Ms Boden demonstrated her kindness.

“Kirsty looked over and saw a young woman visibly distressed and ill in the middle of the busy square,” he said.

Mourners attend the funeral for Kirsty Boden in Loxton. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

“In typical London fashion, everyone there shied away.

“Kirsty stood up and walked over to her and asked her if she was okay, giving her tissues, and staying with her.”

Mr Hodder said Ms Boden loved being a nurse and always carried out her often-12-hour shifts with a smile.

“She always had a smile, happy she was making a difference to her patients’ lives,” he said.

Mr Hodder said Ms Boden “taught me bravery time and time again”.

“Kirsty was so brave — we all know she was a hero that night (of the terror attack) and all her life,” he said.

One of Ms Boden’s long-time friends Melissa Hopper spoke on behalf of some her close-knit friends.

Ms Hopper said Ms Boden was a loyal, bubbly and determined friend.

“If she wanted to do something, she did it and encouraged us to do the same,” she said.

Ms Boden’s former swimming coach at Loxton Swimming Club Terry Millar said Ms Boden was very much “loved and respected” by her peers.

“Her work ethic was incredible ... and that’s why she was so successful in the pool and so successful out of the pool,” he said. “If there was a perfect kid, she was it.”

Ms Boden completed years 11 and 12 at Immanuel College in Adelaide.

Principal Kevin Richardson also spoke at the service, saying Ms Boden still held a school swimming butterfly record.

“Kirsty was warm, considerate in nature with a bubbly personality,” he said.

“She was a lovely, caring woman, always had a smile on her face.”

Merridee Seiboth, from the Loxton Hospital, described Ms Boden as a reliable and trustworthy colleague.

“Kirsty was one in a million,” she said.

An excerpt from Ms Boden’s travel blog was also read out at the service.

“I have big dreams,” Don Sweet, who officiated the ceremony, recited.

“I recognise that I may not go everywhere but I shall definitely go everywhere I can and so should you.

“At the risk of sounding clichéd, life is short.”

A tribute from Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital was also present and the president of the Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, of which Ms Boden was a member, Bill Shires said a few words.

After the ceremony, family and friends then walked to the nearby Loxton Cemetery where Ms Boden was laid to rest.

The wake was held at the Loxton Club.

Ms Boden’s death rocked the Riverland and her home town of Loxton, where she grew up as a gifted academic and talented sports star.

Her selfless and caring nature is set to live on through a fundraiser established by Mr Hodder, which has raised almost £20,000 ($33,630).

The money will go to charities selected by the family “which reflect Kirsty’s passions and interests” at a later date.

Tributes left for former Loxton resident Kirsty Boden just after news broke of her death in the London Bridge terror attack. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Mr Hodder recently paid a touching tribute to his partner, during which he recalled the harrowing moment he received a phone call about the incident.

“We loved going on long walks together and having dinner by the pond. We were very happy,” he said.

“She was very talented and loved taking care of people.

“When she first arrived in this country she struggled to get her Australian qualifications transferred for registration but she persevered.”

Kirsty Boden with partner James Hodder. Kirsty. Source: Facebook

Mr Hodder said his girlfriend was eating with friends at a restaurant next to where the van driven by three terrorists crashed into the wall.

“People were running the other way but before her friends could stop her, she ran up the stairway towards it all,” he said.

“Nobody was surprised because that’s the kind of person she was.

“As well as being friendly and outgoing, she was brave and selfless.

“There are no answers to some of the questions people ask but all I can say is that I am very, very proud of her and her actions that night.”