Mother Breaks Down During Funeral of Daughter Who Was Bullied to Death
The mother of a schoolgirl who tragically took her life due to bullying broke down while speaking at her daughter’s funeral.
Charlotte O’Brien, a Year 7 student at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, was remembered by friends and family during a service at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Bossley Park, Sydney, on Friday, September 27.
Charlotte ended her life in her bedroom on September 9, overwhelmed by the torment from her classmates.
Emotions Overflow as Charlotte’s Parents Address Mourners
Tears filled the room as Mat and Kelly, Charlotte’s mother and step-father, spoke to hundreds of mourners at the beginning of the service.
Kelly deeply moved everyone with her heartfelt words: “I will grieve the life you never had… I can’t wait to go to sleep so I can see you in my dreams.”
Parents Celebrate Charlotte’s Life Amid Bullying Discussion
Although Charlotte’s parents have been outspoken about the effects of bullying since her tragic passing, they chose to shift their focus during Friday’s service.
Instead, they expressed gratitude for the joy she brought into their lives.
Private Funeral Held for Charlotte at Rookwood Cemetery
Following the service, Charlotte’s coffin was taken to Rookwood Cemetery, where her biological father held a private funeral with his partner and family.
The priest was the only one to address the issue that her family believes contributed to Charlotte’s tragic death.
“One in Three Children Experience Bullying,” Says Priest
“One in three children are bullied in communities around the world,” he stated.
“There is a responsibility we all share, starting at home and within our communities. Where do we go from here? How can we move forward?”
He encouraged mourners to be conscious of their actions.
During her speech, Kelly shared: “I will miss everything about you, baby. I will miss our hugs, your kisses, your love, your beautiful smile, and how you would ask me every day how my day was.
“I will always grieve the life you never had. I will miss you every day that ends in ‘Y.’ I will never be OK without you, not even for a moment.”
Charlotte’s stepfather added: “I love you. Thank you for being you.
“Thank you for being so thoughtful, so kind, and so brave.
“Thank you for allowing me to take your mum on our first date – I was under strict instructions to get your approval, and I did.
“Thank you for giving me the greatest honor of being your dad.”
As the service concluded, Kelly left the church with her daughter’s coffin, holding a stuffed penguin toy.
A hearse then transported Charlotte’s coffin from the church to a service organized by her biological father’s family.
As the coffin arrived, “Behind Blue Eyes” by Limp Bizkit played through the loudspeakers.
Earlier, Charlotte’s mother shared the final message she sent to the school following her daughter’s tragic death.
“My beautiful girl took her own life last night due to the relentless friendship issues she faced,” she wrote.
“She didn’t deserve to go to and from school in tears almost every day. She didn’t deserve to have girls bark in her face, scream her name and run away, or purposely hit her with their bags while saying ‘whoops.’
“She didn’t deserve the pain she endured. She deserved love and kindness. She deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Her parents discovered her suicide notes in her bedroom, written in small pink handwriting. In the notes, she urged them to share her story to raise awareness about the effects of bullying.
She asked them to “tell the school” about the torment she experienced, expressing that her life had become “too hard.”
In another note, she referred to her infant brother, Will, writing: “Please, Mama, live for Will because I can’t anymore.”