ABOUT 400 people turned out to the funeral of a popular schoolgirl who died suddenly.

St Giles’ Parish Church in Wrexham was packed out as family, friends, schoolchildren and those who knew Katie Wright celebrated her life.

As a poignant reminder of the 16-year-old, her beautiful voice rang out across the church as they played a tape of her singing ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay.

During the service, led by Rev David Anderson and Gary Owen, Katie’s sister Emma and her father Ian spoke movingly about the youngster who died on October 4.

The choir of St Joseph’s High School sang and there was also a musical tribute of ‘Something Inside So Strong’ by members of the Delta Academy for Performing Arts.

Emma spoke of Katie as ‘the brightest star in the sky’ and said her ‘angelic’ voice will be greatly missed.

Ian said his beloved daughter was a keen dancer and singer and loved being with her family and friends.

He said that Katie, who had been a pupil at St Joseph’s School in Wrexham and later Yale College, had lived life to the full and had been on many family holidays and trips abroad including California, New York and Australia.

This year she had enjoyed celebrating her ‘sweet 16th’ birthday and her prom night at school, he said.

He recalled the last time he saw the youngster as she went to bed and they said ‘love you’ to each other.

Other tributes to the youngster were paid by her best friend and other readings were led by Sister Maggie Catlow of St Joseph’s School.

The coffin was led away to ‘I Gotta Feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas.

Following the private burial mourners gathered at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Wrexham.

Speaking after the hour long service Rev Anderson told the Leader: “I knew Katie for many years and it really was true that her smile lit up the room.”

Following the death Katie’s parents Ian and Debra Wright paid tribute to their daughter saying: “She was beautiful, bright, loving and caring, always smiling, always happy.”

The youngster died in hospital on October 4 after she became unwell while travelling on a bus along Dean Road, close to her home in Borras Park.

Since her death, her friends and former teachers at St Joseph’s High School have come together to discuss creating a lasting memorial to her.

It is hoped to set up a Katie Wright Memorial Trophy, which would be given to outstanding pupils, like Katie.

On October 11, hundreds gathered at the town’s St Mary’s Cathedral for an emotional memorial service, led by Father Chris Howard.

Katie’s parents added on the funeral order of service a ‘sincere thanks for the kind expressions of sympathy and support’.

Donations received in memory of Katie are for the work of the British Heart Foundation.