Family to say final farewell to 'amazing' Sian

A RAINBOW of bright greens, pinks, oranges and blues was shining on Ipswich today as family and friends gather to celebrate the life of a stunning, bubbly and happy teenager.

Hundreds of people were due to join Sian Ryan's family as they say their goodbyes to their “favourite,” the youngest of seven children and the light of their lives.

The sea of colour was lighting up Ipswich Crematorium at 3.30pm this afternoon for the service in both east and west chapels.

The 16-year-old died at the scene of a car crash on the westbound carriageway of the A14, on Monday, August 17, just 10 days before she would have got her GCSE results.

She was travelling in a Citroen Saxo, on her way back from a day out in Felixstowe with friends when the car collided with an Audi A3 Tdi before hitting a signpost at the side of the carriageway.

As hundreds of tributes have flooded the family home on Alan Road, Chrissie Ryan, Sian's heartbroken mum, said she has been overwhelmed and blown away by the outpouring of love for her youngest child.

“Your children are always very special to you,” she said. “But all the amazing tributes have made us realise just how special Sian was to so many other people.

“She would laugh and sing, even in her sleep. She was an amazing little girl.

“The last three weeks have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. You don't know how you are going to feel when you wake up in the morning.

“Her laughing and all her antics give us all strength. When we are feeling low we have to remember what she would want. We miss her so, so much.”

Dad Mike Ryan will give the eulogy at today's service, speaking about the daughter he compared to a top quality bottle of champagne, “clear, bright, bubbly and totally effervescent.”

Other members of the family, Sian's elder sisters Zo� Walker and Annalise Ryan, her elder brother Mikey Ryan and friends will all speak, reading poems and memories of Sian.

Her favourite songs, 'Halo' by Beyonce, 'Footprints in the Sand' by Leona Lewis and 'Run' also sung by the X Factor winner were due to fill the chapel as well as the fitting hymn 'All things bright and beautiful'.

The service will be followed by a party to celebrate the former Copleston High School pupil's life at the Newton Road Conservative Club.

The family has requested people donate money to East Anglia Children's Hospices (EACH) instead of bringing flowers. To donate please make your cheques payable to East Anglia's Children Hospice and send them c/o Michael Smy Funeral Service, 145 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, IP3 8EB.

- Poem to be read at today's service by Sian's elder sister Zo�:-

“If tears could build a stairway

And thoughts a memory lane,

We'd walk right up to heaven

And bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken

No time to say goodbye

You were gone before we knew it

And only God knows why.

“Our hearts still active in sadness

And secret tears still flow

What it meant to lose you

No one can ever know.

But now we know you want us

To mourn for you no more

To remember all the happy times

Life still has much in store.

“Since you'll never be forgotten

We pledge to you today

A hallowed place within our hearts

Is where you'll always stay.

Sleep tight baby sis, love you always. X”

- An extract from a poem to be read by Annalise, another of Sian's sisters:-

“Days are so lonely Sian

Since you went away

Nights are much darker,

I know that's how they'll stay.

“'Happy' is not like it used to be,

'Sad' feels much worse too.

'Pain' is so much stronger

When I stop and think of you.

“Our family chain has been broken,

Now it is through.

But I miss that shining piece of chain,

The linked me so much to you.

“Life goes on I know it does,

You, mum and dad help me through.

But life will never be as nice

As life was when I had you. X”

Piece to be read by Michael Ryan, Sian's brother:-

“She was always the prettiest flower in the garden, the most beautiful song you will hear.

Her smile was so bright it made the sun look like a candle.

She was and still is the brightest star in all our lives.

Nobody will be able to forget her, even if they wanted to.”