Lost lives: Portia McPhail

SHANE WENZLICK/Eastern Courier

LOVING FAMILY: Jacob McPhail, younger brother of Portia, scatters petals on his sister's coffin outside the Elim Christian Centre after her funeral.

SORELY MISSED: Portia McPhail

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Speaking to the flower-decked coffin before her, Nadia McPhail farewelled her daughter: "You so rock, baby. Keep rocking in heaven."

Hundreds of wellwishers packed the auditorium at Elim Christian Centre on Monday to celebrate the life of Portia McPhail, 16, from Manurewa.

Mrs McPhail spoke of her "gorgeous girl" as a gracious person with an "awesome heart".

"I have peace in knowing we have no unfinished business," said Mrs McPhail.

"We had so many, many hugs ... awesome smiles, heart talks, girls’ days out, shopping, movie nights."

Her dream for Portia had been to have an impact on others’ lives and, looking over the crowded hall, she added: "My dream has come true."

Moving audio-visual tributes during the service, including a video montage compiled by her father, showed a happy, outgoing girl becoming a serene, accomplished young woman with a life full of family, friends and fun.

Her love of netball was there too, and the Elim netball team formed a guard of honour as Portia’s coffin was carried from the hall.

Older brother Jon said it always gave him "indescribable joy" to say Portia was his sister.

"People would always say to me ‘wow, you have a sister and she is so beautiful’."

As Portia hit her teens, he would try to do "my brotherly duty" to protect her from other guys by inquiring about her calls, texts and emails.

To laughter, he added: "It was that wondering that got me deleted off her Bebo profile."

Portia’s social life made him a little jealous and she had "amazing friends".

Younger brother Jacob thanked his sister for always being "nice and kind to me", helping with homework, and playing games "even at six in the morning".

Portia’s father Paul recounted how his daughter had to be resuscitated at birth and was so skinny he nicknamed her Minnie.

As Portia approached adolescence, father and daughter made a "pinky fingers" promise to continue as the best of friends no matter what.

She kept her promise, with Dad only occasionally having to wiggle his pinky to remind her.

Mr McPhail said the past year had seen Portia grow into a "beautiful, confident and sincere young woman".

He and his wife would regularly look at each other, wondering how they got so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter.

Mr McPhail thanked the school, churches, friends and family for their support and "all the lovely cards, drawings and messages that have blown us away".

He urged those who knew Portia not to feel embarrassed about coming up to speak to the family about her in future.

Several of Portia’s friends sang or spoke at her funeral service.

- © Fairfax NZ News