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5 months ago
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The son of murdered mother Molly Ticehurst has delivered a heartbreaking message to mourners at a moving funeral service for the young teacher's assistant.
A farewell from the five-year-old was read out via a family friend at the service at the Forbes Rugby Club in NSW's central west on Thursday afternoon.
Ms Ticehurst, 28, was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Billings last week.
'Dear mum, I love you. I miss our holidays together and our tickle fights,' her son Nate said.
'I wish you were here, I miss you a lot and I will love you every day and night. You are the best mum in the world.'
The circumstances or Ms Ticehurst's death were not mentioned during the funeral other then it being deemed an 'abhorrent act' and a call issued to end domestic violence against women.
A photograph of Molly Ticehurst is seen ahead of a funeral service at Forbes Rugby Union Grounds
The rows of white chairs set up along the oval quickly filled up with countless other mourners choosing to stand beside on the oval to watch the procession
Loved ones are seen at the funeral service on Thursday
NSW Premier Chris Minns was seen at the funeral service on Thursday
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb joined hundreds of mourners to pay her respects
Hundreds of mourners gathered to farewell the 28-year-old on Thursday afternoon
Her heartbroken father Tony said his daughter had a tattoo with the message 'We only part until we meet again'.
'I hope that's true because I'd like to have some more memories with you,' he said between tears.
'Molly didn’t have to leave us to grow her angel wings – they came with her as standard equipment.
'Every parent wants to see their kid change the world but not at this cost.'
He had earlier told those planning on attending his daughter's funeral not to think of her accused killer 'or have vengeance in our hearts'.
'Instead, think of the good memories Molly gave us all,' Mr Ticehurst said.
A close friend of Ms Ticehurst, Aidan, said 'everyone wanted to be Molly's friend'.
'She had a laid back attitude and the ability to tell it like it is without ever offending,' he said.
'She was the most generous and kind-hearted person. If you were a friend of Molly's, you were family.'
He also spoke of her incredible love for her young son.
Ms Ticehurst was farewelled in a moving service on Thursday
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Ms Ticehurst on Thursday afternoon in Forbes
Ms Ticehurst's body was escorted to the funeral by dozens of motorcycles
Dozens of motorbikes are seen lined up ahead of the funeral escort
'Everything she did was for Nate, every breath she took was for Nate,' Aidan said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb joined hundreds of mourners for the service.
Mr Minns lost his father John just one day earlier following a heart attack.
Ms Ticehurst's body was escorted to the procession by dozens of motorbikes from the Central West Riders Forbes motorcycle club.
There was a strong police presence in the motorcade along with the funeral.
The rows of white chairs set up across the rugby oval quickly filled up with countless other mourners choosing to stand beside to watch the procession.
Local businesses around Forbes closed on Thursday out of respect for Ms Ticehurst, who was fondly referred to as 'Mol' or 'Mol Mol' by the children she taught.
Ms Ticehurst was found dead inside her home on Young St in Forbes during a welfare check just before 2am on April 22.
Her tragic death prompted renewed focus on alleged violence against women and triggered an outpouring of support.
More to come
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