Farewell to Torquay's 'Isla the smiler'
HUNDREDS of people packed into a Torquay church to say farewell to little seven-month-old baby Isla Winnie Kelly.
The hour-long service was held at St Mary the Virgin Church in St Marychurch on Tuesday.
More than 1,200 people had pledged support via Facebook for Isla's grief-stricken Ellacombe family and more than £5,500 was raised to give the baby a fitting funeral.
Her coffin was drawn by two white horses with pink plumes. Many people attending the service brought a single pink rose to lay around the little coffin, and many wore one of the pink ribbons which were being sold to raise money in Isla's memory.
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There was a collection for the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome charity, the FSID.
Mum Carla Thompson read aloud her letter to her daughter. She said: "I've never known heartbreak like this and I know it will never go away."
Dad Michael Kelly read his poem to 'Isla the smiler' and there was also a very well-received poem from Isla's brothers Mikey and Kyle.
The entry music was Why by Annie Lennox and the service also included Coldplay's Green Eyes, which Isla's parents used to sing to her. Isla has been described by many who knew her as a 'little angel' and the closing music was The XX song Angels.
Carla and Michael thanked everyone for the 'unbelievable support' they have received.
Isla died on Tuesday, February 19, in intensive care at Bristol Royal Children's Hospital after being discovered unconscious by her parents.
The inquest into the baby's death was opened in Bristol a week later. It was heard Isla was transferred from Torbay Hospital following a cardiac arrest. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed. The inquest was adjourned.
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