Karen Edwards had been among the McGrath family supporters at the High Court in Whangarei last week when Patricia's partner, Phillip Andrew Mahanga, 33, was sentenced to three years in prison for the manslaughter of the 34-year-old mother-of-two.
Karen Edwards said she had told those assembled near the Tarewa Rd bridge how her daughter had been "a happy, giggly wee soul" very sorely missed.
Mr McGrath had spoken about the need to promote Maori values protecting women and children.
Many of those at the city ceremony for Ashlee later went to Okaihau for a similar anniversary observance at her graveside.
"It was nice," Karen Edwards said yesterday. "It's been a year of hell - there's a lot of anger and hurt out there and I'm feeling a huge sense of relief that we have acknowledged this anniversary."
After Ashlee's death, her mother took custody of her two little girls, aged three and 16 months, who now live with her and her partner and their two sons.
"It's been challenging - our family grew from four to six in a flash - but the girls are thriving," she said.
While Saturday's ceremonies had helped Ashlee's family with their grieving, Karen Edwards said a rough road still lay ahead of them. Once a trial date was set for Akuhata, the family would be at the court to drive home their anti-domestic violence message: "Speak out and help out."