After more than a week of endless tears and heartbreak, family and friends of a Calgary mother and her little girl gathered to say a final good-bye.
A celebration of life was held for Sara Baillie and her daughter Taliyah Marsman Thursday afternoon in Calgary, which included tributes from loved ones.
Watch below: Taliyah’s cousin and stepsister speak at the celebration of life for Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie
Before the ceremony started, Baillie’s mother (Taliyah’s grandmother) made a brief statement to the media, thanking Calgarians and Canadians for their support.
“We are of course overcome with grief by the unnecessary loss of two beautiful members of our family,” Janet Fredette said. “Despite our grief we are also overwhelmed by the strength this community has given us.
“The Calgary Police Service, our friends, and hundreds if not thousands of unknown community members have shown us how to be strong. Thank you for your support Calgary and all of Canada.”
Watch below: Sara Baillie’s mother (Taliyah’s grandmother) Janet Fredette speaks to media before the celebration of life
Fredette also spoke to Global News earlier this week, sharing memories of her daughter and granddaughter.
READ MORE: Family of Taliyah Marsman, Sara Baillie speak of loss – ‘they’ll always be in our hearts’
Rev. Dr. Miriam Mӧllering opened the ceremony Thursday, saying people were gathering to “find hope in the midst of darkness” after actions of an “evil person.”
“We will not permit our anger or this tragic act of hatred and violence to define us as a city, or a province, or a nation, or a community, or as friends, family, strangers. We will stand united to grieve together and to heal together.”
Watch below: Rev. Dr. Miriam Mӧllering delivers opening remarks at the celebration of life for Taliyah Marsman and her mother, Sara Baillie.
Mӧllering thanked the Calgary Police Service on behalf of the family, and also extended thanks for condolences sent by people from Newfoundland to Australia.
“We pray today, that as we celebrate Sara’s life and Taliyah’s life, that we will honour them and the joy that they brought to each and everyone. Be with those that are sharing tributes today, this we pray.”
Taliyah’s stepsister said her life was changed the first time she met the little girl.
“She was kind, smart, beautiful and full of light,” Agatha said. “I had many wonderful memories with her that I’ll never forget…taking her to the zoo, taking her to the park, seeing movies, eating at restaurants, and having sleepovers and much more.
“There are no words that can describe the pain I am feeling. We love her so much; she will forever be in our hearts.”
Video tributes were played throughout the funeral, along with a heartfelt dance from Baillie’s uncle, Scott Hamilton, and his son, Justin.
“If there’s anything that Sara and Taliyah loved to do, it was dance,” Hamilton said. “Too many times, I saw Sara dance and it was like a bad episode of Seinfeld. So, if you bear with Jus and myself for a little bit, we’re going to take you through a short, sweet rendition of what we know of Sara and Taliyah, who’s affectionately called ‘T’ in our household.”
Rev. Mӧllering closed the service by sharing the significance of the rainbow shown on the screen behind speakers during the memorial.
“And every time you see a rainbow, think about Sara and Taliyah. They are out of the storms and together forever in eternity. And nothing and no one will ever harm them or separate them. Inseparable in life, inseparable in death, inseparable forever. And now may they rest in peace forever.”
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of the deaths of Sara Baillie and Taliyah Marsman
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Family of Taliyah Marsman, Sarah Baillie speaks out -
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Man charged with murders of Sara Baille and Taliyah Marsman didn’t pose ‘undue risk’: parole board -
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Calgary vigil for Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie -
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Tragedy in Calgary: Body of Taliyah Marsman found, suspect is charged -
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Social media reaction to death of Taliyah Marsman -
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Charges laid in death of Taliyah Marsman and mother -
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Body of Taliyah Marsman found, Edward Downey charged with first degree murder -
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Calgary police update media after body believed to be Taliyah Marsman found
Baillie was found dead inside her northwest Calgary home July 11, sparking an Alberta-wide Amber Alert that ended in tragedy.
It’s believed Baillie’s daughter, Taliyah, was killed just hours after Baillie.
The five-year-old’s body was found just outside the Calgary city limits Thursday night.
Edward Downey, 46, remains in custody accused of two counts of first-degree-murder in the case.
READ MORE: Edward Downey, accused killer of Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie, appears in Calgary court
“I don’t wish this on anybody,” Sara Baillie’s uncle Scott Hamilton told Global News in a past interview.
The memorial service was held at Centre Street Church (3900 2 Street N.E.).
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Missing Children Society of Canada.
Though it wasn’t played at the memorial service, family friend Tom Simpson created the below song in memory of Taliyah and Baillie.
With files from Erika Tucker
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