Bella Canfield: Hundreds farewell Salisbury West teen killed in crash near Bendigo

The world was robbed of a cheeky, loving and humble young woman when Bella Canfield was killed in a tragic crash, a funeral service has been told.

Bella Canfield’s tragic death while out walking her dog along a quiet country road at sunset last month robbed the world of a cheeky, loving and humble young woman, a packed funeral service was told on Tuesday.

Bella, 18, was hit by a car near the family farm at Salisbury West, 50km from Bendigo, in an accident that left the close-knit Central Victorian community reeling.

Among the tributes at her funeral in Bendigo, Bella’s mother, Linda, said her daughter’s life had been packed with adventures.

“She loved nothing more than spending time with her friends,” Mrs Canfield said.

Speaking with Bella’s father, Leigh and sisters Portia, Neve and Ava by her side, Mrs Canfield said Bella had “the biggest heart, the kindest smile”.

Family members have marked the spot where Bella Canfield was killed after being hit by a car in Salisbury West on January 19.

Bella Canfield (right) with her older sister, Portia, in their youth.

Bella planned to follow in the footsteps of her older sister Portia and become a nurse, which Portia said she would have excelled at.

“You had everything lined up, and it was taken away from you,” she said.

Younger sister Neve said she loved Bella “so much”, was “beyond grateful” for everything she had taught her, and would “cherish the special memories we have made together”.

“It’s unbelievable to think such a good person can be taken away from us in the blink of an eye.”

Her aunt, Carli Turner, said Bella was “the most beautiful girl, inside and out” and paid tribute with a poem that described her as a “true tomboy at heart” who was “loved beyond belief” and would be remembered for her “infectious laugh and gorgeous smile”.

Salisbury West teenager Bella Canfield, 18, died after she was hit by a car on Wedderburn-Serpentine Rd on January 20. Picture: Facebook

Bella Canfield, pictured with mother Linda, died after she was hit by a car in Salisbury West near Bendigo on January 19. Picture: Facebook

Bella graduated from Marist College in Bendigo, and one of her teachers, Mair Evans, said having her as a student was a “daily joy”.

“(She was) so much fun, so fun, but when she wasn’t, she was working hard to do what she had to do,” Ms Evans said.

Among her closest school friends was Bella O’Brien, with the two spending so much time together they were known affectionately as “B1 and B2”.

Principal Darren McGregor said he had rarely ever seen a friendship so close as that the “two Bellas” shared.

Bella O’Brien said: “Bella’s whole life was about to start and I feel saddened she was taken away from us.”

“Her heart was made of gold and she was such a happy and bright girl.”

Bella’s mates said their friendship group was now “missing a large piece of the puzzle” and no longer felt whole.

Mourners filled the auditorium of the Baptist Church at Junortoun, before Bella’s funeral procession made its way to the Bridgewater cemetery, before a wake at the nearby Bridgewater Hotel, where Bella worked behind the bar at weekends.

A memorial at the scene where Bella died, on the Wedderburn-Serpentine Rd, remembers her as the “brightest star in the sky”.