THE funeral of tragic teenager Francesca Sanna took place on Monday when more than 300 people turned out to pay their last respects.
The 19-year-old, of Broadfield, Oswaldtwistle, collapsed and died just over a week ago in the hallway of the home where she lived with parents Kim and Franco.
The former Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School pupil was on her way out with friends when she suddenly lurched forward and turned white.
She was rushed back home but collapsed in the hallway and died despite efforts by a passing nurse to resuscitate her. The cause of her death is still unclear.
Mourners packed out the chapel at Accrington Crematorium, with hundreds of people standing outside to listen to the service on loudspeaker.
A single bouquet was laid on top of the coffin and a white floral tribute saying Mim - Francesca's pet name - was placed alongside it.
The coffin was carried inside the chapel to the James Taylor song You've got a Friend.
Francesca had suffered with severe allergies since birth but had bravely controlled her illness and refused to let it affect her life.
Her former headteacher Barry Burke read an emotional eulogy at the service on behalf of the Sanna family.
The heartfelt passage contained memories of her childhood from when she was just days old up until the moment she bought her dream car.
The nickname Mim was given to Francesca by her older brother Domenico after he saw a witch in Disney's Sword on the Stone covered in blotches and screaming, something similar to what happened to his sister as a result of her eczema and allergies.
Mr Burke added: "She achieved so much in her short life, and we are all so lucky to have had almost 20 years of her to ourselves. She took nothing out of our lives but brought so much in and we never realised just how much until this week.
"Mim loved a fuss, but we are sure even she would have been stunned by the fantastic number of people who have come here today."
Shakespeare's 18th Sonnet was read by family friend Michael Flanagan and Eva Cassidy's Somewhere Over the Rainbow was played during committal.
A close friend of the Sanna family read out a tribute in Italian which had been written by Francesca's devastated dad Franco.
The service ended with Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl and as Francesca's mum Kim left the chapel, she thanked the crowd who had waited outside in the biting cold.
Family and friends were invited to the family's restaurant Franco's, in Oswaldtwistle, after the service to share happy memories of the teenager.
Donations are being received in memory of Mim for the National Eczema Society or Asthma UK at L Champ Funeral Services, in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors.
