Shelley's gone but her spirit lives

"Dear, dear Shelley, who'd have thought you would get your Mum and Dad here to London?"

These were the words Kathryn Gilkison spoke to her daughter, killed in London's bombing tragedy, at a memorial service in London.

She had walked around the city for the first time, and could see why Shelley Mather had loved it.

With Ms Mather's father, John Mather, she visited Russell Square - where the 26-year-old died on July 7 - to remember a "kind and caring friend" and a "beautiful and vibrant" daughter.

Up to 200 people attended the service for the 26-year-old at St Pancras Church on Euston Rd.

The funeral was the first time Ms Mather's parents have spoken publicly about losing their daughter.

Ms Gilkison recalled her daughter's premature birth in Invercargill in January 1979 - "another time we received incredible support and love" - and read a poem she wrote at the time.

"As I hold you, you precious little one, the warmth of your body [feels like] life itself: so precious, so fragile. I tremble at the enormity of it."

Mr Mather said that when he last spoke at a memorial service he had needed help to get through his speech. "It was Shelley who came and stood by me and supported me."

"Shelley still lives: she enriches my life, she supports me," he concluded. "That's why I still haven't dissolved in tears". With that, he did break down, later to rise from his seat to help an Australian friend read a eulogy.

The church is just blocks from where Ms Mather was killed, on the Tube on her way to work via the Piccadilly Line.

And it is metres from Tavistock Square, where the No 30 bus exploded and where the church steps are still strewn with wilting bouquets and faded cards for the victims.

The Bloomsbury suburb is also home to Contiki, the travel company the Aucklander spent two summers working for as a tour guide in Europe.

And it is where she worked most recently, as an admin temp for the Association of Train Operating Companies in Russell Square.

Described by a colleague as "hardworking in a kind and unassuming way", Ms Mather could be found on Friday evenings at a local pub, the Night and Day.

The Rev Elaine Dando described the memorial gathering as "a party".

"The spirit of someone like Shelley cannot be destroyed by a bomb's hatred," she said.

It was a "truly a global celebration", with Ms Mather's younger brothers Ryan and Adam, and family and friends in New Zealand, Australia and Africa, all "standing with us today".

Jonathan Hunt, the New Zealand High Commissioner in London, and Ireland's deputy ambassador also attended. 

Ms Mather's last few weeks were "very happy" said workmate Steve Pickman. She had been excited about an upcoming trip to New Zealand and had enjoyed a staff summer party.

In June Ms Mather went to Glastonbury. The weekend before the bombings, she was thrilled to see her favourite band, Pink Floyd, re-form for Live 8.

Their song, The Great Gig in the Sky from the album the Dark Side of the Moon, was played at the memorial service.

At Russell Square, where wreaths were laid in her memory, her friend Lawrence Moala, 35, an expat lawyer, said it was important for people to know "what a wonderful woman she was".

Mr Moala also read a statement on behalf of Ms Mather's flatmates and close friends, who were the first to realise the terrible significance of her not answering her mobile phone on July 7 and who drove to six hospitals during their search for her.

"Shelley came to London like so many of us to have an adventure and see some of the world. While she was here she touched so many lives. She was truly a kind and caring friend and we miss her dearly. Our thoughts are with John, Kathryn, Ryan and Adam. Thank you for sharing her with us."

Another service will be held in Auckland on July 30.