Beloved teenager Lucy Needer farewelled during funeral service

The grief-stricken cattle farming family of a beloved Qld high school student, killed in a crash, have remembered their daughter’s heart of gold and way with animals.

A heartbreaking funeral service has been held for 16-year-old Lucy Needer, who died in a car crash earlier this month.

Lucy was killed when the Daihatsu Applause she was driving struck a tree on Lucas Rd at Hodgleigh about 6.50pm on June 3.

During the service, she was remembered as a bright light who brought joy to all her knew her.

She was the beloved daughter of Denis and Stacy Needer and sister to Hannah.

Lucy was a beloved member of the school community at Kingaroy State High School.

She had embraced her passions with dedication, those gathered at Booie Hall were told, particularly her love of animals and the outdoors.

Lucy was a “remarkable individual” whose journey was marked by resilience, courage and a capacity to bring joy to those around her, mourners were told.

She had seen the world in a different, more beautiful light, those gathered heard.

Her journey had not been without its struggles or challenges, but through each obstacle she had shown what true resilience had looked like and for Lucy, her family was everything, a source of endless love and security.

Beloved South Burnett crash victim Lucy Needer.

In turn Lucy was someone who brought a unique and irreplaceable light into their lives.

Her passing had been “sudden and unforeseen”, mourners were told, and she had been taken “under terrible circumstances”.

But during her service, those gathered would honour her life and be thankful for the good times because her life was so much more than those final moments, mourners were told.

Lucy’s parents bravely spoke.

“Baby girl, there are not enough words in this universe to express how much I’m going to miss having you by my side,” Stacy said, describing the pride she felt every time she saw her daughter on horseback.

“You were never afraid to try something once,” Stacy said.

Beloved South Burnett crash victim Lucy Needer.

As a little girl Lucy would only wear dresses or skirts, refusing to wear jeans.

Then one year at mustering time, her mum told her she would have to wear jeans if she wanted to help.

“And that was it – I’m not sure she ever wore a skirt again,” Stacy said.

Stacy said she felt pride seeing so many people at the service, knowing how many lives Lucy had touched.

Denis said he would miss the days when they were in the yard together looking at cattle.

“You are the only person who can drive me up one wall and down the other, do something, give me a cheeky grin and melt my heart,” he said.

Lucy’s natural ability with horses, her fearless attitude and her heart of gold would be in his heart and mind forever, Denis said.

“You’ll always be sweet 16 with piercing blue eyes,” he said.

A recorded message from Hannah was also shared.

She remembered her Lucy’s can-do attitude, saying that she would carry her sister with her always.

A photo montage of moments from Lucy’s life was shown to those gathered before the service concluded.

A trail ride followed the funeral service, where Lucy was laid to rest at Booie Cemetery.

Originally published as Beloved teenager Lucy Needer farewelled during funeral service