Josie Pinheiro’s family and friends mourn sudden death and honour her life in Warrnambool
Family and friends of a Warrnambool teen “angel” have mourned and honoured her life at moving funeral service.
Warrnambool
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The Warrnambool community has come together to mourn the loss of a young teen.
Josie Pinheiro, 17, died on February 2 after she took her own life in Queensland.
Friends and family on Friday gathered to remember their “angel” with the “cheekiest smile”.
Mum Tash Lambert said she and step father Paul Hayward were “counting down the days” to see Josie in May this year.
The teen made the move from Warrnambool to Kelso, Queensland in December last year to live with her boyfriend.
“I missed you so much after you left to go to Queensland and I know you did too,” she said.
“You couldn’t wait to come home and be in my arms.
“Is heaven like we imagined? Are you dancing in the flowers and the clouds?
“God has you in his arms now, and one day I’ll have you back in mine.”
Ms Lambert said Josie “followed in her footsteps” and “embraced love around us”.
“You loved your step-brothers like they were your blood brothers, and they loved you the same,” she said.
“My only daughter, my only girl, I will see you again soon,” she said.
Friend Islande said she was “lost for words”.
“This still doesn’t feel real,” she said.
“It only felt like yesterday that we were at school always getting up to mischief.
“I miss your contagious laugh — please just take me back to the day we met.”
Friend Gianne said whenever she heard her laugh or saw her smile it always “warmed her heart”.
Step-dad Paul Hayward said Josie’s confidence was “inspiring”.
“I’ve learnt three things since we lost you — the bond between you and your mother, transcends everything,” he said.
“You have both been through so much together but the love for one another always strived, even during the darkest of times.
“Your heart and mind didn’t allow you to experience any emotion less than a thousand per cent — perhaps that was your best quality and your heaviest burden.
“We will now spend the rest of our days counting love for you, knowing one day we can give it back to you when we meet again.
“We will forever be a little less for losing you.”
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