HUNDREDS of mourners ranging from high school friends to rugby league stars gathered on Friday to farewell Hannah Rye, the 15-year-old who captured hearts across the nation when she took Newcastle Knights halfback Trent Hodkinson to her year 10 formal.
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Mr Hodkinson was among a group of past and present Knights at the Ryhope service including David Bhana, Jeremy Smith and Danny Levi, who joined a Maori haka as Hannah’s coffin was driven away.
In a blue jacket similar to the one he wore as Hannah’s date to a specially-scheduled Kurri Kurri High School formal in July, Mr Hodkinson was a still, low-key presence at the service.
He had arrived at the Mount Vincent teenager’s doorstep on formal night bearing a bouquet of flowers.
Hannah stunned her classmates by stepping out with the 28-year-old playmaker in a floor-length gown, radiantly proud and unquestioning of the perfect time she was about to have.
She had coyly told friends on Facebook to meet “if you want to get formal pics w/ me and whoever”.
The NRL player and year 10 student became close during Hannah’s treatment for Ewing sarcoma cancer, the illness that claimed her life last month.
Hannah was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma when she was 13, and underwent chemotherapy.
She had been cleared of active cancer for five months before it returned.
Details of the pair attending the formal spread quickly across social media and led to praise for Mr Hodkinson as a true sporting role model.
On Friday Hannah’s coffin was accompanied by a long, loud convoy of motorbikes from Cameron Park, as she had requested.
“We rode here today among a sea of people we didn’t know, who loved Hannah as much as we do,” her mother, Racheal Rye, told mourners.
“She was the bravest of the brave.”
Hannah was also described as “sassy, cheeky, beautiful” and, affectionately by her father Lance Rye, as a passionate debater.
“In the last 18 months I was amazed at how strong she was,” Mr Rye said.
“If you ever want to see some of the strongest people, a pediatric oncology ward is where you’ll find them.”
Linda L’Green, Hannah’s year 10 adviser, tearfully told of a girl who had embraced fun runs, the student representative council, the school choir and Star Struck.
She was also “a big fan” of Halloween, and sad to miss it after her first diagnosis.
“Her little face warmed my heart from the very beginning. She was so innocent and friendly to every person she met,” Ms L’Green said.
“Those girls [in her year] brought Hannah so much happiness, support and friendship, and vice versa.”
The school called a special assembly last month to tell the students Hannah had died, principal Tracey Breese told the Newcastle Herald.
Counsellors and student support officers had already been made available, Ms Breese said, and more counsellors are working with Hannah’s closest friends.
“Doing the formal gave them that chance to all come together,” Ms Breese said.
It would be the last time Hannah came to school. The Knights wore black armbands in their game against the Canberra Raiders following her death, and the club told the Herald it will seek “to work with the family to assist with fundraising efforts for Kick Sarcoma, their chosen charity”.
Mourners wore purple, Hannah’s favourite colour, and released purple balloons into the afternoon sky.
