Family and friends of beloved teen come together to remember her and honour her life at the Benalla Cemetery

Family and friends of a beloved teen who died in tragic car crash have come together to remember their “quirky angel” at the Benalla Cemetery.

Montana Russell, 15, has been remembered as a “loyal” and “devoted” little sister who had a “warm attentive spot” in her heart for her nieces. Picture: Supplied

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in the heart of Benalla to remember a 15-year-old “quirky angel” who tragically lost her life in a fatal crash in the state’s north.

The young teen was a front seat passenger in a Grey Holden Captiva driven by 14-year-old , when it crashed into a truck travelling in the same direction on the Hume Highway, Locksley on June 28.

Prior to the service, a Gofundme page was started for Montana’s family.

Family and friends of the Montana Russell, who goes the name of mum’s “little tassie devil”, flocked to the Benalla Cemetery on Friday to honour the girl with the “kind heart”.

Montana‘s older sister Claire Hitchcock said in her eulogy her heart was “shattered” by what had happened.

“Montana was such a memorable soul,” Ms Hitchcock said.

Hundreds gathered at the Benalla Cemetery on Friday to remember their "angel" Montana Russell.

“When I had come to mum’s on weekend I was greeted always with little Montana and Katelyn outside, so excited to see their big sisters every weekend without fail.

“I will further remember Montana being a mum to Coco, putting our dog in Katelyn‘s pram and pushing it around the court pretending that Coco was her baby.”

Ms Hitchcock said no matter how long her and Montana went without seeing each other, she was always greeted with the “biggest hug”.

“You would pick me up as a child to show how strong you were getting. I’m going to miss you asking me to braid your hair and I’m going to miss hearing your contagious laugh,” she said.

Montana’s older sister Claire Hitchcock said Montana had a “memorable soul”.

“But most of all, I’m going to miss your presence and existence — I love you so much Montana from the bottom of my heart — I hope you’re safe and I hope you’re happy.

“I know that you will be missed more than anything and I can’t wait until I see you again.”

“Her laugh, her smile, the way her eyes shimmer when she looks at someone that she loves, her little curly hair, those little strays on her face — I have never seen anything other than my loyal, love-filled little sister,” Montana’s sister Nakiya Russell said.

Montana Russell was also known as mum’s “little tassie devil”.

“We never had a fight — she was an absolute angel. Montana played in my home with complete innocence and pure joy.

“Montana was a protecting and nurturing aunty, a best friend, a secret keeper and she would play mum when they needed it. She held them on her hips, she feed them and then in later years made dancing Tik Toks and applied makeup with them.”

Ms Russell said she couldn’t have asked for a more “loyal” and “devoted” little sister who had a “warm attentive spot” in her heart for her nieces.

Montana’s sister Claire Hitchcock said she was always greeted with the “biggest hug” from Montana.

Sister Sara Hitchcock said Montana always showed “unconditional love” and “support” and had a “heart that could forgive anyone”.

“One thing I’ll cherish forever is taking our brothers and sisters over to Tasmania in 2021 to surprise you and spend Christmas with you — you were so shocked and excited to see us and were so happy we were there with you,” she said.

Guests showed their respect and honoured Montana by leaving purple handprints on a tree at the Benalla Cemetery.

Funeral guests were spotted wearing purple symbolic accessories at the service.

A friend of Montana, who asked not to be named, said the colour purple symbolizes that Montana is “still with us”.

Friends of the young teen were seen dipping their hands in purple paint and placing them on a nearby tree, leaving purple handprints on the tree as a way to show their respect towards Montana.

“She will always be here, and we will always visit her,” her friend said.