The mother of a schoolgirl who was bullied to death broke down while speaking at her daughter’s funeral, but made no mention of the years of torment the 12-year-old suffered at the hands of her classmates.
Charlotte O’Brien, a year seven student at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, was farewelled by friends and family at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Bossley Park, west of Sydney, on Friday.
He took his own life in his dorm room on September 9 because the torment inflicted on him by his classmates became unbearable.
Emotions ran high as Mat and Kelly, Charlotte’s mother and stepfather, addressed hundreds of mourners at the start of the service, speaking of what a thoughtful, caring and kind person she was.
Kelly made everyone cry when she said, “I’ll be sorry for the life you never had…I can’t wait to go to sleep so I can see you in my dreams.”
While parents have been vocal about the impact of bullying since Charlotte’s death, they chose not to focus on it during Friday’s service.
Instead, they thanked their daughter for the joy she brought to their lives.
After the service, Charlotte’s coffin was taken to Rookwood Cemetery, where her biological father had a private funeral with his partner and family.
Charlotte O’Brien (pictured) took her own life on September 9 due to severe harassment
Charlotte O’Brien’s mother appears crying alongside her partner at Friday’s funeral.
Charlotte’s mother, Kelly, kissed her daughter’s coffin during Friday’s service.
The priest was the only person during the service who spoke about the trigger her family attributes to Charlotte’s death.
“One in three children is bullied in communities around the world,” he said.
‘There is a responsibility in the world, starting at home and in our communities. Where do we go from here? How are we going to move forward from here?
“We all experience the good and the bad.”
He urged mourners to be mindful of their actions.
During her speech, Kelly said: ‘I’ll miss everything about you, darling. I will miss our hugs, your kisses, your love, your beautiful smile and how every day you asked me how my day was.
‘I will always regret the life you never had. I’ll miss you every day that ends in Y. I’ll never be okay without you, not even for a day.’
At times, Kelly had difficulty speaking.
Hundreds of friends, students and teachers attended Charlotte’s funeral on Friday.
Charlotte’s mother Kelly pictured during her daughter’s funeral on Friday.
Charlotte’s mother collapsed after the funeral, clutching stuffed toys given to her by her daughter’s friends.
Charlotte’s stepfather said: ‘I love you. Thank you for being you.
‘Thank you for being so thoughtful, so kind, thank you for being so brave.
“Thank you for allowing me to take your mother on our first date. I had strict instructions that I needed Charlotte’s approval and I received it.
“Thank you for giving me the greatest honor of being your dad.”
As the service concluded, Kelly walked out of the church with her daughter’s casket, holding a stuffed penguin.
A hearse then carried Charlotte’s coffin from the church to another service held by her biological father’s family.
When the coffin arrived, Limp Bizkit’s ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ could be heard over the speakers.
Previously, Charlotte’s mother shared the final message she sent to the school after her daughter’s death.
Charlotte’s parents Mat and Kelly carried their daughter’s coffin to the church (pictured)
Mourners covered the hearse with petals before leaving for the cemetery after the funeral.
“My beautiful girl took her life last night because of the relentless friendship issues she faced,” he wrote.
‘She didn’t deserve to go to and from school crying almost every day. She didn’t deserve to have girls bark in her face or scream her name and run away, to hit her on purpose with their purse and say “oops.”
‘She didn’t deserve the pain she was suffering. He deserved love and kindness. “She deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.”
His parents found his suicide notes in his bedroom; Written in small pink font, she urged them to share their story to raise awareness about the impact of bullying.
He asked them to “tell the school” about the torment he went through, saying his life had become “too hard.”
Another note concerned his little brother, Will. She wrote: “Please mom, live for Will because I can’t take it anymore.”
If this has raised any issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
