‘Condemned to a broken future’: Emma Lovell to be farewelled two weeks after Boxing Day stabbing

A North Lakes mum killed during an alleged home invasion on Boxing Day has been remembered as someone who always had a plan and who always put her family first.

The family of a Brisbane mother killed during a home invasion on Boxing Day have spoken of their “lifetime of pain” as a single rose was placed on the coffin of their beloved wife, mum, daughter, sister, friend and hero.

Emma Lovell, 41, was allegedly stabbed in the chest while fighting off intruders.

Two boys have been charged with her murder.

Mourners attend the funeral for Emma Lovell at the Lakeview Chapel at Albany Creek Memorial Park on Thursday.

Mrs Lovell’s husband Lee Lovell previously told The Courier-Mail that he was running on adrenaline when he realised his wife was on the ground, even though he had been stabbed himself.

Close family and friends from both Australia and the United Kingdom gathered inside the Lakeside Chapel at Albany Creek Memorial Park on Thursday as the song ‘Woman’ by British duo HONNE played.

Family and friends have farewelled North Lakes mum Emma Lovell in Brisbane’s north.

The lyrics - “This place wouldn’t be the same without you…You could say that it would be a little worse…There’s just something about you…With you it is all more worth” - washed over the chapel as Mrs Lovell was remembered as a “wife, mum, daughter, sister, friend and hero”.

A poem read on behalf of Mr Lovell spoke of the love he shared with his wife of 16 years, a woman who he described as “my only girl”.

Celebrant Ivan Lang spoke of conversations he had with “brokenhearted” Mr Lovell and how “family always came first” for Mrs Lovell.

“Family always came first - family was number one.”

Family and friends have gathered at Albany Creek on Thursday in a ceremony to farewell Emma Lovel.. Picture: Picture: Supplied

Mr Lang said Mr Lovell spoke of the “happy years” and that “life just got better and better”.

Mrs Lovell’s brother David Angel said he used to change the nappies of his little sister and lay with her until she fell asleep, a little sister he described as the “kindest person I have ever known”.

“She always gave me perspective,” he said.

“Being the older sibling…I always thought she would be the one looking after me in old age.”

The service was told that family always came first for Emma, picture here with husband Lee.

Mr Angel said his sister “always had a plan” and that her two daughters “together completely represent the best of Emma”.

“(She) was beautiful inside and out,” he said.

Eulogies read on behalf of Emma’s two daughters spoke of their “best friend”.

Mr Lovell and his two daughters placed a single rose on the coffin as they farewelled their beloved wife and mother.

Emma’s best friend Liz Jones read a heartbreaking statement on behalf of Lee Lovell and his family which spoke of their “emptiness” following the mother-of-two’s death.

“Today, we will be celebrating Emma’s life with our family and close friends, but it is a day none of us can still believe is happening,” Mr Lovell said in his statement.

“It has been over two weeks since Emma was taken away from us.

“The pain has not eased, the sense of desperation is still there, and the hope we wake from this nightmare, to find her still with us, is being clung to.

“It is simply too hard of a situation to talk about in detail, we feel empty.”

Chris and Liz Jones speak on behalf of widower Lee Lovell at Thursday’s service.

Mr Lovell’s statement also spoke of a “cruel world where someone as innocent, loving and gentle as Emma, has lost her life protecting her family in her own home”.

“Unfortunately, the reality is that she had her life taken away, and we have been condemned to a broken future, and a lifetime of pain,” the statement said.

“We pray ... appropriate justice is delivered for Emma.

“Emma spent her whole life being a positive and caring member of society and we want to make sure that her memory is attached to positive change, not just as a tragic event.

“We again thank everyone, especially the members of the North Lakes community, for the love and support we have received.”

The two boys, both aged 17, who have been charged with Ms Lovell’s murder have been remanded in custody until January 16.