Lilie James farewelled in vibrant ceremony, belying brutal way her life ended

They came in bright colours clutching flowers. Because that was the spirit of Lilie James, the Sydney sports coach laid to rest after her murder at an elite school.

Lilie James was farewelled at a funeral service in Sydney.

They came wearing bright colours – pinks, orange, florals – and clutching posies of vibrant flowers because that was the spirit of Lilie James, the young Sydney sports coach laid to rest on Friday, 23 days after her brutal murder in the bathroom at an elite inner Sydney school.

More than 500 people, led by her heartbroken parents Jamie and Peta and younger brother Max, attended a private service at Ms James’ alma mater, Danebank Anglican School for Girls at Hurstville in Sydney’s south.

NSW Premier Chris Minns was among the mourners who included extended family, schoolchildren coached by Ms James, sporting groups associated with the family and her many friends.

Lilie James’ white coffin entered the school at around 9:15am covered in colourful flowers. Many attendees captured the vibrant, happy spirit of the 21-year-old by carrying flowers and choosing bright colours over traditional black.

The service was live streamed to St Andrews Cathedral in the city where a large crowd, including many students, also gathered.

Ms James, 21, was killed in a bathroom at St Andrews Cathedral School on October 25 by another sports coach at the school, Paul Thijssen, 24.

Mourners outside the funeral service. Picture: Britta Campion

The pair had been in a brief relationship which Ms James is believed to have ended.

Dutch-born Thijssen, a former St Andrews sports captain who’d returned to the school to work as a hockey coach and sports co-ordinator, was reportedly captured by CCTV following Ms James into the bathroom about 7pm after she’d completed a water polo coaching session.

He later phoned Triple-0 to report a body in the bathroom before jumping to his death from clifftops off Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. He has already been cremated.

The funeral booklet.

Friday’s service was not about Thijssen and the darkness of Ms James’ death but about her life, and friends and family smiled through tears as they remembered the bright, happy young woman who would light up the room.

“Today we are celebrating the life of Lilie James. This day is all about her,’’ the family said in a statement.

“She was an independent, vibrant young woman who was always on the go and lived each day to the fullest.

“On top of working and studying Lilie loved coaching and playing water polo. She loved to dance. Even with her busy schedule, she always still made time to support her brother Max, her friends and her family.

Hundreds attended the service. Picture: Britta Campion

“We cannot thank the community enough for their thoughts, prayers, generosity and messages through this difficult time. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the many great memories we all share of Lilie.”

A talented dancer, drama student and swimmer, she was studying a bachelor of management in sports business at University of Technology and supporting her studies by working four days a week as a water polo and swimming coaching.

In a letter to parents after the murder the head of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Julie McGonigle said Ms James was a “much-loved” sports assistant.

“Lilie’s engagement across the student body was wide-ranging and, as you will know from your children, she was adored by all,” McGonigle said.

“In all of my dealings with Lilie, she was full of vitality, energy, enthusiasm and a natural fit in our community.”

A photo of Lilie issued by her family. Picture: Supplied

A friend told the Australian that Ms James was “was the most beautiful, selfless, straight to the point person. She had so much life in her. She was full of light.

“She is from a private, humble family who loved their simple life. Now their whole world is shattered.’’

After Friday’s hour-long service Lilie’s coffin was carried by six pallbearers, including her father and brother. As it was loaded into the hearse about 50 close family and friends parted to allow her family a final moment with the coffin.

Her family signed off their statement: “Lilie James we are so proud of you and thank you for sharing a wonderful and jam-packed 21 and a half years together.’’

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