Hundreds of mourners farewell Sunshine Coast teen Jade Dixson

A SUNSHINE Coast teenager whose cousin dedicated her weightlifting gold medal to her following her death in a car accident has been laid to rest.

THE devastated mother of 17-year-old Jade Dixson told the hundreds of mourners at her funeral her beautiful, caring and “sassy” daughter did not deserve to die in a car crash.

In an emotional farewell delivered beside Jade’s dad Mark, Julie Dixson yesterday told of “so many wonderful memories we will cherish forever” but also said they were sorry they could not protect her daughter from the fatal crash that claimed her life on March 28.

“You were the most intelligent, caring, beautiful and, of course, sassy girl I have known,” her mother said.

Jade Dixson died in a car accident on the Sunshine Coast last week.

“We were sorry if you thought that we were too protective, but that was our job.

“I am sorry I was not able to protect you at the end.

“You were loved with all our hearts and although you are gone you are forever in our hearts.

“You did not deserve to die like this and for that I am sorry. It has been and honour and a privilege to call you our daughter.

“Fly high our beautiful angel.”

Dressed in bright colours at the request of the bubbly teen’s family, among those paying tribute to the football-mad high school student was her cousin and newly minted Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tia-Clair Toomey.

Family and friends gather at Maroochydore for the funeral of Jade Dixson. Picture: Lachie Millard

Toomey, who kept a low profile at the Maroochydore ceremony, had dedicated her win in the 58kg class weightlifting to her “little cousin”.

Chaplain Matt Brady told the mourners Jade’s dad, in an incredible act, had visited the family of the young driver behind the wheel in the crash. The 17-year-old male driver remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Chaplain Brady asked everyone in the community to support the family in coming days, months and years.

Twin Georgia described her sister as a “gorgeous, bubbly person who lived life to the full”.

“I couldn’t be happier to call her my best friend let alone my twin,” she said.

Queensland weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey dedicated her Commonwealth Games gold medal to her young cousin. Picture. Dean Lewins/AAP

“She was amazing to be around and could light up a room with her big smile.”

Through the tears, Georgia also raised a laugh from those who knew Jade best with tales of her “terrible taste in music” and that her sister “still owes me $160”.

Toomey, who joined the family party to follow Jade out of the funeral chapel, dedicated her win to her cousin.

Jade had planned to be in the crowd at Carrara Sport and Leisure Centre, cheering for Toomey.

”Unfortunately my little cousin, she was only 17, was in a car accident last Tuesday and passed away,” Toomey said after the win.

Julie Dixson surrounded by family at the funeral of daughter Jade, at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast.

The order of service for the funeral of Jade Dixson, who was killed in a car crash on the Sunshine Coast.

Originally published as Hundreds of mourners farewell Sunshine Coast teen Jade Dixson