By SCOTT INGLIS
After all the words had been said and all the prayers spoken, there was only silence as Kylie Jones' body was taken away from the people who loved her to be buried.
The 1500 mourners massed around her family, still clutching one another for support, as the young woman's body was loaded into the dark-blue hearse after her funeral.
For several minutes no one spoke as they watched the hearse draw away, as if the enormity of the goodbye was just sinking in.
Speakers at the service for Kylie Sheree Jones at the Omaha Community Centre, about 80km north of Auckland, told of a young life, so full of promise, which ended so suddenly and violently.
Kylie was stabbed to death in a reserve opposite her home in Line Rd, Glen Innes, last Tuesday evening. She had been on her way home after work at 6 pm. A 29-year-old man has been charged with her murder.
Mourners drew a picture of the beautiful, intelligent, caring and vibrant young woman. Many also spoke of the devastation they felt.
The Rev Mark Farmer told the service Kylie was "harshly, quickly and brutally taken away from us."
Vanessa Green, Kylie's immediate supervisor at Eye magazine, where she had worked as a journalist, wept: "God must have needed another angel in heaven."
She said the magazine would dedicate its next issue to the memory of Kylie.
But the most heart-wrenching words came from Kylie's partner, Aaron Stenbeck, who spoke publicly for the first time.
He got up, cleared his throat and, maintaining his composure, said: "Kylie, I will never forget the night we met. Your beautiful brown eyes melted my heart."
The couple had an unwritten rule "to make the most of every sunny day," and shared many adventures such as sailing, diving and boating.
"You were so much more than just a lover, a soulmate, a best friend."
Jeanette Jones, Kylie's mother, spoke briefly, saying there were things people could do in memory of Kylie - "read more books, give more hugs."
Two of Kylie's best friends, Kirstie McGill and Kate Telford, described the happy person they called "Smiley."
The pallbearers walked out to Rod Stewart's song I Am Sailing.
Kylie was buried at the Matakana Cemetery.
Accused man in court
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