Olyvia Cowley’s mum, loved ones pay tribute at Gold Coast funeral after death in Bali

It was meant to be the day Olyvia Cowley came home from Bali to move into a new home. Instead, shattered loved ones said goodbye to the 24-year-old at a Gold Coast church.

IT was meant to be the day Olyvia Cowley came home from Bali to move into a new home.

Instead, her shattered family and friends were saying goodbye to the 24-year-old at a Gold Coast church.

Olyvia died “unexpectedly” on the Indonesian holiday island on August 19.

On Saturday, her loved ones gathered at Hillsong Church at Highland Park to farewell “one of the funniest and sweetest girls to ever walk the earth”.

Her family carried a white casket draped in sunflowers into the church.

At the request of the family, the mourners wore a palette of bold, bright colours, to celebrate their “Livy’s” warm and passionate zest for life.

Hope Cowley in green farewells her sister Olyvia Cowley at her funeral - after she died in Bali two weeks ago. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Olyvia’s mother, Christina Blakelock said “no mother should never have to feel this pain”.

“The entire time I was in Bali I kept asking is there anything I can do? How do I get through it? But the one bit of hope I had is that it felt like Olyvia was there with us,” she said through tears.

“When I went in to pack up her room she was right there and there was such a peace. When I walked into the morgue I saw a bright yellow light. And I know that’s your colour Livy.”

Her brother Joshua said: “Not many of you realise it, but today was supposed to be the day Livy was supposed to come back to move into a new home.

“I was really looking forward to it. I really miss you,” he said.

Olyvia’s sister, Hope, was squeezed tightly by her brothers as she delivered a heartfelt tribute.

“Livy had an impact on so many of you. On May 11, 1998, not only did I gain a sister, but a best friend,” she said.

“She was so witty and always getting us into trouble or getting us out of it.

Loved ones farewell Olyvia Cowley whose body was repatriated to Australia from Bali. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

“We were a pair and for many years, I had my own little shadow. We spent countless hours together just being us.

“My baby girl...having a sister has been one of the coolest experiences in this world.

“I was looking forward to many things with you – like being mums together – and standing next to you on your big day. You would have been the most beautiful bride.”

Hope described her “baby sister” as the “cool, fun aunty” to her children and said “they have the best guardian angel watching over them”.

“This isn’t goodbye because I’ll see you at the gates, with a jay in one hand and a drink in the other. I love you Livy. I’ll see you soon.”

Family and friends gathered at the funeral of Olyvia Cowley on the Gold Coast - her mother (in white) hugs a friend. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Caleb Cowley said his little sister “had two sides to her personality”.

“One was Liv cooking you a five-star meal with a nice bottle of wine and the other was trying to make you eat dog food.

“I don’t think a day went by when we didn’t fight or bicker about something, but it was only recently realised it was your love language”.

“I’ll never be able to express in words how much I miss you. Your smile and your laugh.

“Olyvia, I’m grateful for the memories you gave us, and the laughs you gave us even when you were not around.

“I’ll see you again one day soon, and we will catch up on everything you missed.”

As Caleb held fought back tears, he said: “I don’t like goodbyes so I love you and I’ll see you soon.”