‘Unimaginable trauma’ as family lays Jessica Falkholt to rest
JESSICA Falkholt was remembered as a beautiful woman and a rising star as eight doves were released above her white coffin.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
JESSICA Falkholt was remembered as a beautiful woman and a rising star as eight doves were released above her white coffin.
The 29-year-old Home And Away actor’s courageous fight for life made her the public face of the state’s shocking holiday road toll after a horrific Boxing Day head-on crash killed her sister Annabelle, 21, and their parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60.
And after weeks of “unimaginable trauma”, her devastated family and friends bid farewell to Jessica yesterday. Fellow Home and Away stars Pia Miller, Jackson Heywood, Philippa Northeast and Isabella Giovinazzo were among the hundreds of mourners who gathered for her emotional funeral at Mary’s Catholic Church in Concord, where less than two weeks ago the rest of her family had been laid to rest.
READ MORE: Tributes flow for Jessica Falkholt
“We look forward to putting this horrible period behind us, while cherishing the memories we have with our friend, Jess,” her close friends said in a statement.
“The past weeks have been a time of unimaginable trauma. Jess was an incredibly private person and would have been moved by the generosity of spirit so many have shown.”
It is not known whether Jessica, who died six days ago after her life support was turned off on January 11, knew her family’s fate as she remained in a coma at St George Hospital after being pulled from the crash by passing motorists alongside her sister.
Her uncle Paul Ponticello reportedly told the funeral service it was hard to come to terms with the loss of the family at the hands of habitual traffic offender Craig Whitall.
Whitall’s appalling driving record was revealed after he also died at the scene on the state’s south coast after his Toyota Prado veered onto the wrong side of the road as he drove home from a methadone clinic.
“An entire family has been taken by events totally beyond their control,” Mr Ponticello said.
“What occurred does not fit neatly within the definition of accident.”
The family used the service to once again thank all those who risked their lives to drag the sisters from the car before it burst into flames, as well as the medical staff who cared for them in hospital.
Annabelle died at Liverpool Hospital three days after the tragedy.
“A heartfelt thanks goes out to those who risked personal safety to drag both Jessica and Annabelle from the wreckage, which gave the girls, albeit slim, a chance of survival,” Mr Ponticello said.
Vivian Falkholt had been in remission from breast cancer and the family asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to Australian Cancer Research.
After a midday Mass led by Father Paul Crowley, he blessed Jessica’s coffin, which was adorned with pink and red roses, before a private family interment.
MORE:
• JESSICA FALKHOLT’S FAMILY FAREWELLED
• GOVERNMENT PLANS TOUGHER ACTION ON ROAD TOLL
• KILLER DRIVER HAD OVER 200 CONVICTIONS
Best known for her role as Hope Morrison on Home And Away, Jessica was remembered as a “gorgeous soul” and talented actor who was a pleasure to work with.
Her appearance on the soap paved the way for her feature film debut in the forthcoming supernatural thriller Harmony, in which she starred.
“Such a beautiful and talented soul — taken so soon & so tragically. May you now rest in peace alongside Annabelle, Lars and Vivian. Sending my deepest sympathy to the extended Falkholt family & friends,” the soap opera’s star James Stewart said on Twitter.
Nadine Terens, a make-up artist who worked with Jessica on the long-running series, said the actor had fought bravely and ferociously for her life but would be reunited with her family.
“Shine bright you gorgeous soul,” she wrote on Facebook.
“Our friendship will never be forgotten.”
Her funeral notice published at the weekend said: “Jessica will be deeply missed by her uncle Paul Ponticello and his partner Felicia, his children Paul and Natalie, along with many close relatives and friends both in Australia and Sweden.”