I am devastated to be standing here today talking in memory of my beautiful sister Sarah, its not because I don’t want to talk about Sarah, its because I would rather be talking with Sarah. But unfortunately for me and everyone here today Sarah’s mental health overwhelmed her and she decided she could no longer live with the pain and the torture of the illness she suffered from for so long, so here we are.

I knew I would eventually have to write some memories down about Sarah for this speech and to be honest it has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do because there are so many memories its hard to choose just a few to share, and they also needed to be safe for mum and dad to hear without getting into trouble for later.

Sarah and I were only two years apart in age and we were best friends, worst enemies but also fiercely defensive of each other growing up as all sisters should be.

When I was 10 years old just before I started intermediate I had a visit to my new school, while walking around the school I had a girl come up to me and boldly make a not so nice comment about my sister, I was not to happy about that so I shoved her up against the wall and made it very clear that she was to leave my sister alone or else. Arriving home after school that day thinking there would be some sort of welcoming party for me for proudly defending Sarah I was meet with a very angry and upset Sarah who informed me the girl was in fact her friend and the comment she had made was a running joke between them and now the girl no longer wanted to be her friend. Thankfully she eventually forgave me and years later were able to laugh about it.

A few years later while at youth group one night, a boy at church made a not so nice comment about me, I have never seen such a tiny person explode with so much rage as she shoved this boy that was almost twice her size up against a car and just lay into him. I remember at the time being disappointed it only took one person to get me off him but three people to get her off him. The result was we both got suspended from youth group but we managed to get a high five from mum, poor dad was embarrassed but I think quietly proud that we had each other’s back.

When Sarah first moved out of home to Ashhurst I was really upset as I was the last child left at home and felt a little bit lost without her, Sarah came over one day and took me shopping and bought me my first mobile phone so I could call her whenever I wanted to.

I took my role as annoying little sister very seriously, one Christmas at Mum & Dad’s place Sarah was having a little trouble getting out of bed and we were expecting nana and granddad over for morning tea, so taking one for the team I pulled the plug out of the air mattress and man did she fill the house with a powerful protest including some words that nana had the misfortune of hearing as she opened the front door. Sorry Sarah.

I was fortunate enough to have Sarah as my Maid of Honor at my wedding in 2012, Sarah went over and above her call of duty on that day. Those that know me well know that I have a nervous belly., as we approached the chapel that day it became very clear that I needed to find a toilet and I needed to find a toilet now. We arrived at the chapel and Sarah headed into the toilet with me, I wont go into details but as Sarah emerged from the toilet I overheard her say to Rachel Green “I saw something nasty in the wood shed”

I could speak for hours about the adventures Sarah and I and others got up to over the years but we all have our own stories and memories of Sarah to remind us how special, kind, generous and loved Sarah is.

Lastly, to my sister Sarah, I have a bone to pick with you. Dad has informed me that now that you are gone I get double the dad lectures, so thanks for that, well played.

But on a serious note, I love you Sarah, may you rest in peace, goodbye for now.

Sarah, you were a wonderful person.
I've been a family friend of the Greens forever and Rachel was my very intimidating, witty, sarcastic older friend (I have signed up to be her minion in the event of world domination).
When I met you, you made a very strong first impression on me, you were cuddling on the couch, with Rachel Green. You and Rachel were looking at each other, and it was amazing to see you both so in love, and Rachel suddenly so tender.
So my first impression was of someone capable of lighting my friend up with incandescent joy.
I soon came to see you were full of quiet, but perfectly timed witty remarks, a love of music, and quirky fun. You were thoughtful and kind and completely crack-up.
When the two of you planned a family together, I was so excited to be near by, because I knew you were both so full of love. I hoped we could share our journeys. I was sad when those dreams could not become a reality.

I'm so sad that you're gone

Farewell, my bright, talented, quirky friend. No words seem adequate at times like this but you were a dear colleague and I enjoyed all the times we had together from cocktails, dancing, dinners and endless coffees to attending each other's weddings. I'm sorry that it has been a while between catch-ups. I will remember your vivid blue eyes, cheeky grin, dry wit and comic timing forever xxxoooxxx

Sarah was a wonderful sister-in-law. She had a great seance of humor and was always kind. It was great to have her in the family.

Sarah first I admired you professionally, so much so that I asked you to come and work for me. But aside from how smart you were, how good you were at your job ... there was the joy and love and friendship you brought into my life. We had so much in common it seemed, on every level. I am so saddened to hear of your passing. You were a beautiful woman, inside and out. You were, and are, so loved. Rest easy my friend. xx

What about me? ..... Shannon Noll .... maybe it's fitting that I'm in Australia at the moment Sarah, home of this song .... one you used to love at karaoke. No words needed for us ;)

I feel blessed to have known you and to have had you in my life. Work wise you were an inspiration and gave me fresh perspective for looking at business processes. You were a great manager and you believed in all of us. From a friend perspective, you could light up a room with your smile and your laugh was infectious. I do miss the after work drinks back in the day and our lunches with the girls. This is one of those times when you say, 'I wish we'd had that catch up we kept saying we'd have'.

I hate that your illness won in the end and i hope now you can rest easy. I hated seeing you in pain. Know that you will be forever in my heart as someone who made a positive impact in my life. Know that you will be missed. Rest in peace my friend. All my love Shoné.

Your smile would always brighten my day (despite how grumpy I was feeling) and I will hold on to the memory of you laughing hysterically at my other half's drunken Dr Dre remixes on the dancefloor.

Trying to think about all the memories we had and there are quite a few Sah….from our time of flatting together in Campbell street where we ended up with Bub (Rach) moving in with us lol, to the McDonald's runs before church and then sitting in the back row trying to eat it haha, to the road trips we use to take, the arguments we used to have, but always making sure we sorted them out. The time we had to sleep in a tent on a hill (because we got to the camping area too late to get a good spot) and having to put the tent up in the dark (I’m still amazed it stayed up) then all of us waking up complaining until we opened the tent door to see the amazing sunrise on the beach. Whether we were having in-depth conversations or simply just hanging out chilling it always felt like home. Even when we went down our separate paths whenever we caught up it was always the same….you would always welcome me with a hug and that amazing smile and we would be back at it having a good old catch up. You leave a big hole in my heart my friend, not only for me but for everyone who got the privilege and honour of knowing you….Rest easy my friend and know that we will never forget you; you will always be in my heart xox