Source : Perth Now news
The sister of a woman allegedly murdered by her former partner has vowed to never let her baby boy forget his mother, as hundreds gathered to farewell the beloved mum in touching scenes.
Family, friends and members of the Toowoomba community gathered on Friday to farewell Jana Armstrong, weeks after her death shook the region.
Ms Armstrong, 30, was reported missing after failing to return home to her four-month-old son in Toowoomba on July 7.
Her former partner and the father of her child, Dharminder Singh, was later charged with her domestic violence murder.
Hundreds packed the Millmerran Cultural Centre for Ms Armstrong’s funeral, where a white casket sat at the front of the room topped with a large bouquet of flowers, a white bunny rabbit plush and other mementos.
Many mourners wore green – her favourite colour – in her honour.
Officiant Janice Holstein told the service Ms Armstrong’s death had left “a void in the hearts of her family and friends that can never be filled”.
“It has also rocked the entire community who once again finds itself grieving another young woman whose life was (allegedly) cut short by domestic and family violence,” Ms Holstein said.
Mourners were told Ms Armstrong had stood in the same place only months earlier to farewell her sister Faith and brother-in-law Michael’s “precious little daughter”, speaking with “such grace, strength, and love”.
The service also celebrated the young mother her family knew and loved.
Ms Holstein described Ms Armstrong as “a young woman with dreams, hopes and a future she deserved to live” and noted one of her greatest dreams was becoming a mother.
“She embraced motherhood with joy, pride, and a love so fierce and so pure that it lit up every room she entered. She adored her little boy, and in him, she found her life’s greatest purpose.”
In an emotional eulogy, Ms Armstrong’s sister Faith Isaacs remembered her as “cheeky, adventurous, fiercely independent, but above all, she had the most caring heart”.
“If you were lucky to know her, you knew you always had someone in your corner,” Ms Isaacs said.
She spoke of their childhood in Toowoomba alongside siblings Sam and Dean, recalling they were “more feral than we were well behaved”.
“If there was mud we’d be covered in it, if there was a tree we’d climb it and if mum told us not to do something, well that usually sounded like a challenge,” she said.
As adults, their bond only deepened where they became best friends and were “always by each other’s side”.
Ms Isaacs said after their parents died, the sisters leaned on each other even more, and Ms Armstrong became “such a big part” of her family, joking she was “basically the permanent third wheel” in her and husband Michael’s relationship.
She said Ms Armstrong had always been meant for motherhood and was “like a second mum” to her own boy.
“The love, patience and care she showed him came so naturally to her. Watching her with him, it was clear she was always destined to be a mum. It was what she was made for and it was what she truly wanted,” Ms Isaacs said.
“The day (her son) came into the world, so did a whole new side of her.
“He became her entire world, and everything she did, she did with him in mind.”
Speaking directly to her sister, Ms Isaacs made a promise about her young son.
“I promise you, Jana, he will always know who you were,” she said.
“He will know how much you loved him, how hard you fought for him, and what an incredible mum you were.”
Ms Isaacs said her sister’s death had sparked an extraordinary response far beyond Toowoomba.
“You were never someone who wanted the spotlight or to have anyone looking at you,” she said.
“But over the last few weeks, the whole of Australia has had their eyes on you.”
“Your story has reached so many people and the amount of love, generosity, kindness and support that has been shown is something truly incredible.”
Ms Isaacs struggled to hold back tears, pausing at times to compose herself as she spoke of her sister and best friend.
“You were one of a kind, Jana. You were loved more than you’ll ever know, and you’ll be missed more than words could ever say.
“My beautiful sister, I still can’t believe I’m standing here saying goodbye to you.”
Other family members also spoke of Ms Armstrong’s warmth, humour and devotion to her son.
Her aunt Kath said Ms Armstrong had recently spoken about dreading the end of maternity leave because she “couldn’t bear the thought of being away from her little man”.
“But as a solo mum, she knew she didn’t really have a choice,” she said.
“She had to provide for the two of them, and like everything else she did for (her son), she put his needs before her own.”
Following the procession, Ms Armstrong was laid to rest near her parents at Millmerran Cemetery.
The service followed an emotional candlelight vigil held in Toowoomba on July 24, where about 1000 people gathered to honour Ms Armstrong’s life.
Ms Armstrong’s disappearance sparked a major community response, with family and supporters rallying across the city to help search for the missing mother after she was last seen meeting her sister for coffee at a nearby cafe.
Her car was later found parked and unlocked in the middle of the road near her Newtown home, but Ms Armstrong was nowhere to be found.
Police later located a body at Redbank Creek on Esk Hampton Rd, nearly an hour from Toowoomba, after it was discovered by pig hunters four days later.
On July 13, Mr Singh appeared by video link in Toowoomba Magistrates Court charged with her domestic violence murder.
The 48-year-old was also jointly charged with arson of a motor vehicle, alleged in a domestic violence context, and breaching bail.
No plea was entered.
Outside court, his solicitor Ramli Salehkon said Mr Singh denied the charges.
