HUNDREDS of friends and family turned out to pay their last respects to a young woman killed in road collision.

Mourners packed out St Mary’s Church in Ruabon for a moving service in memory of 18-year-old Katie Griffith, known to her family as ‘Girlies’.

Katie, a former pupil at Ysgol Maes Y Llan, Ysgol Rhiwabon and Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen, was killed on the A5 near Llangollen at about 11pm on December 4.

The funeral procession was led by a horse-drawn carriage carrying Katie’s coffin, which was adorned with festive lights and decorations.

She was taken into the church as Forever Young by Alphaville played.

Katie’s stepdad, Marcus Ansloos, paid tribute. He said she would play rough with her brothers but also had a softer side.

When she was 11, she had won a national poetry competition organised by Young Writers To Be entered by 35,000 people across the UK and had a poem entitled The Magic Island published.

“Katie was kind and generous to a fault,” he said. 

“She adored the family cat and she loved to sing. She was very creative. 

“She had so much to look forward to and was preparing to move into a new flat in January.

“Rest in peace our beautiful Girlies, Katie.”

The gathered congregation then wiped away tears as Sam Ansloos sang Andrea Bocelli’s Time To Say Goodbye.

Tributes from Katie’s friends Becca, Courtney and Emma were read out.

“We never thought we would be saying goodbye. We trusted you with all our secrets like you were our sister,” they said. 

“We will never forget your smile, your personality and your sense of humour. We will never forget you. 

“You always made use laugh and smile. Rest in peace Katie.”

The service was led by the Rev Kate Tiltman, vicar of Ruabon, who gave a reading from the Book of Revelation, chapter 21.

She said: “Katie is with God in a place where there is no mourning, or crying, or pain. Sadly, she died as her life reached a turning point with so much to look forward to.

“Though we are rightly and understandably sad, we can be glad to that in her life and love for her family, God gives us a glimpse of himself. 

“There was a huge amount of love between Katie and her family, and that love will always be there. 

“What made her special is not lost but remains and will be part of us for ever.”

The Lord’s Prayer was read out and the congregation sang Silent Night.

Following the hour-long service, Katie’s coffin was carried out of the church as I’ll See You Again by Westlife played.

She was then interred at Ruabon cemetery.

Donations were taken in memory of Katie, as well as her Grandad and Taid, for Nightingale House Hospice.

KATIE was the daughter of Elaine Ansloos and Paul Griffith. 

She was one of three children, with an older brother Matthew and a younger sister Maisie.

A family tribute was released shortly after Katie’s death.

It said: “Katie was a beautiful young lady who had so much to look forward to. She was extremely kind, generous and bubbly. 

“She always wanted to help others and was very generous with her time.

“Katie or ‘Girlies’ as she was fondly known, was like any other teenager, learning to drive and was very pleased at recently passing her theory test at her first attempt.

“She was also nearing the completion of her beauty course, which she had a natural talent and passion for. She was so excited for Christmas and had already prepared everything and put all of her wrapped presents under the tree. 

“She loved Christmas and was very organised and organised us all too.

“Katie was looking forward to moving into her new home in the New Year, an excitement which we all planned and shared together as a family.

“Our sad loss has created such a huge loss in our lives which will never be filled and shall remain with us for ever.

“Rest in peace our beautiful girl, a true Angel returned back to heaven in God’s care. 

“Sleep tight our beautiful princess from all your loving family xxxxx.”