Finley Bone: Hundreds farewell Noosa soccer coach killed by lightning strike
Loved ones have farewelled a much-loved 21-year-old Noosa soccer coach, sharing stories of her passion for the game and joy for life before her tragic death.
Hundreds gathered to mourn and celebrate the life of popular Noosa soccer coach Finley Bone after she was struck by lightning last week.
Family and friends shared stories of the 21-year-old at the funeral held at Gregson and Weight in Noosa today, November 7.
Ms Bone died on October 30 from a lightning strike at the Cooroy Sporting Complex on Mary River Rd.
Ms Bone’s mother Donna Markert said her daughter had visited the field with her partner to practise kicking goals when the tragic events unfolded.
Her dad Paul Bone said his daughter had found happiness, and his last memory of her was watching her skip.
“I know she was the happiest she had been for some time,” he said.
“She had found Jack (her partner) and she was ecstatically happy.
“She and Jack came down (to visit Tasmania) a few weeks ago and spent time with us.
“My last memory of her was watching her bounce off with Jack into the doorway of the Hobart Airport.”
She had spent her last day alive with her mother.
The two had breakfast together and had walked the dog before Ms Bone went to the Cooroora United Football Club field where she was tragically struck by lightning.
Ms Bone was studying to work in childcare, and her dad said she “loved babies and working with younger students”.
She had been accepted into the police force but had to withdraw due to a back injury.
Her teammates, Ash and Jess, spoke of her commitment being a soccer coach.
Her siblings Nicola, David and Dom took turns reciting a poem written by their father, Paul.
“You are a rambling bright rose, we’ll cry no more for the petals fallen,” the poem read.
“May bells ring for the joy you brought in your brief and brilliant flowering.”
Paul spoke on behalf of Ms Bone’s mother at the funeral and said she had brought Donna an abundance of joy.
“Donna said Finley gave her the happiest days of her life,” he said.
Her teammates praised her parents for raising her to be the person she was.
Ms Markert earlier described her daughter as a “beautiful, kind and caring young woman” who had her “life taken away in a minute”.
“Fin was a sports tragic,” she said.
“We are taking some solace in knowing she was doing something she loved and was with someone she loved.
“It’s just tragic.”
On Monday November 3, Cooroora United Football Club hosted a touching memorial to honour Ms Bone and support each other.
Friends and family hugged, cried and lit candles as many placed flower bouquets by the goal for Ms Bone.
She was remembered as a talented athlete by other players from the Cooroora United Football Club and the Noosa Lions Football Club.
Funeral attendees were asked to wear something colourful, instead of black clothing or Hawaiian shirts, in Ms Bone’s memory.
