Melissa Hoskins was remembered as a tremendous Olympic cyclist, a doting mother-of-two and a fun-loving spirit with a legacy that impacted millions.
Mourners who came to lay the 32-year-old to rest in her hometown of Perth on Wednesday afternoon were encouraged to celebrate her.
Hoskins died after she was struck by a car allegedly driven by her husband, Rohan Dennis, outside their Adelaide home on December 30.
Dennis and their two young children were among the funeral attendees at the Fremantle Cemetery.
Hoskins’ pale wooden casket, adorned with a sunflower wreath, was carried into the West Chapel to strums of country music.
Hoskins’ father, Peter, trembled and sobbed when he got up to read his eulogy.
“Melissa’s zest for living touched so many people,” he said.
Attendees were told of Hoskins joyful upbringing as a regular suburban kid in Perth’s Hills.
‘A champion mum’
A childhood full of climbing trees and bike riding with her sister, Jess, before she shot to success as an athlete.
“At the age of 15, Melissa’s life and ours changed forever,” her father said.
Hoskins represented Australia at the 2015 and 2016 Olympics, and won gold in the women’s team pursuit at the 2015 World Championships.
She announced her retirement in 2017, and soon after started a family with Dennis.
Hoskins’ young daughter cooed at her grandfathers feet as he continued his eulogy — telling the sobbing crowd of his daughter’s dedication to her family.
“She was on track to becoming a champion mum,” he said.
“And taken too soon.”
A short and poignant message to Hoskins from her mother was also read out by her father.
“I miss you everyday,” it read.
“I may not carry you now in my arms but I will always carry you in my heart.”
Mourners heard Hoskins loved music, dancing, cooking and gin and tonics.
Her mourners were encouraged, if they wished, to have the beverage in her honour at the wake.
Hoskins’ sister, Jess, followed their father’s eulogy and was equally emotional.
She too reminisced their childhood and warm memories from later in life as young mothers.
Hoskins former coach Gary Sutton spoke of his privilege to work with the cyclist — who shone brightly on and off the track.
“We loved her like a daughter,” he said.
“We remember the good and happy times — this is what we’ll treasure.”
Following a touching photo and video montage, an Olympic flag draped over Hoskins casket was removed and handed to her family.
A rendition of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ filled the chapel as attendees got up to place a rosemary sprig on the coffin.
A visibly emotional Dennis took each of the couple’s children up to do the same.
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