‘Katie...our inspiration and joy’
THE grieving parents of murdered seven-year-old Katie Rough wept yesterday as her funeral was told of the “inspiration and joy” she had given her family.
Paul, 34, and Alison, 38, held hands as the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, described their daughter as “beautiful, joyful, trusting and faithful” during the service at York Minister.
Hundreds of mourners had packed the church and lined the street outside.
The couple had asked their family, friends and neighbours to wear formal clothing but with a colourful twist.
Katie’s red and white coffin, which arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, was decorated with characters from her favourite Dr Seuss cartoon.
The schoolgirl was found with lacerations to her neck and chest on a playing field near her home in York on January 9. She was taken to hospital but died.
A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has appeared in court charged with murder.
She is due to appear before Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.
Katie’s death came less than two weeks after parents Paul and Alison, were married.
Before the funeral Mrs Rough described her daughter as a “beautiful sassy, kind, amazing girl” and added, “life will never be the same – I wish I could have her back”.
Yesterday, Dr Sentamu told how he held an eleven-hour vigil by her coffin on Sunday night.
He added: “We thank you for the joy which she has given to all who knew her and for the precious memories of her that will abide.” He told mourners how he had met Katie, who was baptised in the church, when she was just four. She had spotted him in his ceremonial robes in the church and asked him the way to the toilet.
He said to laughter: “Perhaps she thought I was the cleaner.”
Choking back tears, Katie’s uncle Steve said: “Her family were her world. She loved her mum and dad but she was definitely a daddy’s girl.”
He said Katie suffered from an anxiety disorder known as “selective mutism”, but this did not stop her having fun. Her parents said a lasting memorial would be created for Katie.