Yesterday's service, held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, served as a farewell for Ashley, 15, and her 12-year-old sister Stephanie, both killed in a two-vehicle crash on May 29.

The girls were riding in car being driven by their father, John Daubs, 49, when it crashed head-on with a dump truck, killing all three family members.

Hundreds of people attended yesterday's memorial service, including dozens of students and staff from Clarke Road secondary school, Ashley's school, and Bonaventure Meadows elementary school, which Stephanie attended.

"We eliminate it when we can, we avoid it whenever possible, but we live in a world where there is suffering," she said. "Regrettably, that is a part of life. But it's not the end of it.

"Love is the most powerful thing on this earth (and) nothing will ever be able to separate any of us from the love that we share for Ashley and Stephanie."

A handful of former classmates, however, remembered the girls as remarkably tight-knit sisters with bright smiles. One friend recalled the last time he saw Stephanie.

"If you knew Stephanie, you knew she was a random person who liked to come up to you and ask for a hug," said the boy, who introduced himself only as Tom.

"Last Monday before I left school, I was lucky enough to receive one of Stephanie's random hugs. She told me she loved me and that she'd see me tomorrow. Unfortunately tomorrow never came.

The young voices of the Bonaventure Meadows choir sang at the service. One choir member broke down after the service, sobbing on a friend's shoulder as mourners filed out of Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Set up in the hall were several picture collages of the sisters, smiling for the camera at Christmas gatherings, birthday parties and camping trips.

Large flower arrangements sat beside the pictures, and envelopes were available for those who wanted to send in donations, which the family has asked be sent to the Women's Community House Clarke Road shelter.

After the service, the Bonaventure Meadows public school gymnasium, usually ringing with laughter and playful screams, filled with sombre mourners who gathered there for a reception.

Spring and summer were no doubt normally a time of celebration for Ashley, whose birthday was May 10, and Stephanie, who was turning 13 on July 5.

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