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Friends and family said their final goodbye to Katie Powles yesterday by releasing dozens of pink and whiteballoons into the clear skies of Awhitu, where she grew up.
The 26-year-old office clerk was killed on Tuesday night after a drunk driver - who police believe may have been
suicidal - crashed head-on into her car as she was heading home from work.
Last week, family friend Kerry Jones said Mrs Powles' family were dealing with a lot of "built-up anger" towards the 51-year-old man who caused the collision.
However, hundreds of mourners put that anger aside yesterday to farewell a "bubbly" young woman who made such a big impact on the lives of so many people.
Mr Jones told the Herald many friends spoke at the service, which was held at the Matakawau Hall on the Awhitu Peninsula, near Waiuku.
One younger friend recalled a camp they had attended together, saying the younger members did not want to be stuck in a room with an "oldie" like Mrs Powles.
However, three nights later the young campers were struggling to keep up with Mrs Powles and pleading for a good night's sleep.
Said Mr Jones: "She was very young at heart and very active and kept these youngies on their toes."
The service was "emotional but not too emotional" and finished with many of the mourners releasing pink and white balloons - Mrs Powles' favourite colours.
"The whole service was excellent, it was to the point and really good for the family."
Mr Jones said Mrs Powles' parents, Peter and Diana Ennion, were holding up well, as was her husband of four months, Darren Powles.
"Peter and Diana are amongst good company and good friends and are smiling and laughing, it's very good. Darren's remarkably good. I know he's been very 'to himself' but he's mingling amongst people and shaking hands and generally being very very chatty."
Two police staff, including the officer in charge of the homicide investigation, Detective Inspector Mark Gutry, also attended the funeral to pay their respects.
Mr Gutry estimated that several hundred people attended what he described as a "lovely funeral, a tribute to Katie".
Meanwhile, the homicide investigation into Mrs Powles' death continues.
Mr Gutry said police had been unable to interview the driver of the car that caused the collision as he was still sedated with a moderate head injury in Auckland City Hospital.
Police believe the man had been drinking and had threatened to take his own life before leaving his home in Swanson, Waitakere City, in the hours before the crash.
He also hit a second car, which was carrying a 42-year-old man and his two young sons.
Mr Gutry said the investigation would continue this week with police hoping to undertake mechanical examinations of the cars.
Once the driver had been interviewed, a decision would be made about what charges he would face.
Mr Gutry indicated that they could include murder or manslaughter if the crash was premeditated.
