Tributes poured in for Hemsby’s Hannah Witheridge following her murder
Hannah Witheridge - Credit: PA
'Beautiful...intelligent...loving...selfless...caring...bright...witty.' These were just some of the many words of tribute paid to Hannah Victoria Witheridge, by her many family and friends in Norfolk and beyond in the days and weeks after the tragedy.
Hannah Witheridge. Photo: Submitted/Archant - Credit: Archant
The 23-year-old grew up in Hemsby, where her family run a handful of holiday parks.
Growing up she developed a love of horse-riding, performance arts and music. She attended Langley School and City College Norwich before gaining a BA in education studies at the UEA in 2012.
After that she worked for a short while as a sales administrator at Archant's head office in Norwich, prior to moving to Colchester to study speech therapy at the University of Essex.
In their first statement following her death, her family said: 'Hannah was a beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman who poured joy into the lives of all who knew her. She was selfless and caring and made each and every day that little bit more wonderful.
Hannah Witheridge at Langley School. Picture: SUPPLIED - Credit: SUPPLIED
'Our family are utterly devastated and shocked by what has happened to our beautiful Hannah. To lose her in the way that we have is beyond comprehension. We are heartbroken and no words can possibly describe how we feel.
'As such, we would be extremely grateful to be left in peace while we come to terms with our loss.'
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk zoo keeper abandoned as a baby reunited with mother in ITV show
- 2 Breakup and burglary! Couple's chaos after £101m win on Euromillions
- 3 Lane of A47 remains shut after serious crash yesterday afternoon
- 4 Queen's Platinum Jubilee flypast rehearses over Norfolk
- 5 Boat users given fines over £16k for breaking rules on Norfolk Broads
- 6 Two Norfolk seaside hotels named among the best in Britain
- 7 Hero boxer rescues man who plunged into river to save dog
- 8 Norfolk couple: 'We’ve lost £30k in cryptocurrency scam'
- 9 Café completely sells out on first week of launching Sunday roasts
- 10 Man seriously injured in A47 crash after police pursuit
Her funeral, held at St Mary's Church, in Hemsby, just five days before what would have been her 24th birthday, was attended by hundreds of people, dressed in colourful clothes at the request of her family.
The service was led by the Rev Charles Powles. He began with a short introduction and prayer which was followed by live music and tributes to Hannah.
The funeral of Hannah Witheridge from Hemsby who was murdered on the Thai Island of Koh Tao. Picture: James Bass - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2014
Her father Tony, sisters Laura and Tania, brother Paul, and close friends Ross Crook, Eloise Moore, Claire Williams and Emma Clark all gave readings during the service, sharing treasured memories of Hannah.
The congregation joined in with the Lord's Prayer before a video featuring footage of Hannah was played.
Norwich-based singer Bill Downs performed several songs handpicked by the family during the service.
They included acoustic-style versions of Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Little Things by One Direction and Cucurucu by Nick Mulvey.
John Legend's All of Me had played as Hannah and her family entered the church.
And in a particularly moving moment, the congregation clapped and cheered – applauding Hannah – as her coffin was carried out.
She left the church as the song She's So Lovely, by Scouting for Girls, played.
Close family attended a private burial at Hemsby cemetery, while the hundreds of friends who had travelled to Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth, headed to a local campsite for refreshments.
During the funeral, members of the congregation were asked to sign a book and share their memories of Hannah by hanging notes on a 'memory tree' inside the church.
Each memory was written on a heart-shaped piece of paper.
