Hundreds turn out for funeral of 17-year-old Lollie Russell

Olivia Jo-an Russell, known as Lollie to her family and friends, died following a battle with cancer.

The numbers attending the 17-year-old’s funeral at St Michael’s Church, Blandford Road, were so high that even the aisles were packed with people paying their respects.

Reverend Pam Goddard led the service, which included individual tributes to Lollie from friends.

Rev Goddard described Lollie as ‘brave’ and ‘selfless’, a straight-talking tough young woman who loved life, her friends and family and never moaned about her own circumstances. This was despite living with the knowledge she had a brain tumour, and that it may not always lay dormant, every day since she was a young child.

“When others would moan about trivial matters,” said the Reverend, “Lollie would ask them if they would like to swap places with her.”

After Lollie was first diagnosed surgeons successfully operated to remove the majority of the tumour. She’d go onto be monitored and treated by doctors, with numerous hospital visits, for the rest of her life.

Sadly her last scan revealed the tumour had grown. Lollie was later admitted to Gully’s Place, based at Poole Hospital, where she was told her cancer was incurable. She died on February 18 this year.

During her funeral the song You’re Beautiful, by James Blunt, was played. Her family chose this as Lollie would play it as she learned guitar.

Lollie’s family thanked the medical teams at Poole Hospital and Southampton General Hospital for everything they had done for her over the years.

A private family committal took place at Harbour View Woodland Burial and Memorial Gardens, ahead of a function celebrating Lollie’s life at Hamworthy Liberal Club.