A "ONE in a million" girl who died in an accident on holiday less than ten days after turning 18 has been given a huge community send-off.
Shannon O'Dwyer, of Delamare Crescent, Shirley, died on the Greek island of Zante on August 20 while on holiday with friends. An inquest into the cause of her death has yet to take place.
She was laid to rest on Tuesday (September 16) at a huge funeral with more than 250 family and friends present.
A special tribute to the popular girl, who went to Edenham High School, was placed on the green in the middle of the Stroud Green estate.
The community around Stroud Green came together to remember Shannon, who was affectionately known as "giraffe" by her family due to her height.
Shannon was studying business and law and celebrated her 18th birthday on August 11.
A family friend, who attended the service at Croydon Crematorium, said: "The funeral was amazing and it just showed how popular Shannon was. She was one in a million. It was a real credit to her."
Shannon's sister Kiera sang the John Legend song All Of Me at the service, while another sister Angel read the eulogy.
Her body was taken to Croydon Crematorium in a white horse-drawn carriage.
In a special tribute, Shannon's name was cut into the grass of the green on Delamare Crescent, while flowers were laid and the streets were cleared and described as "spotless" by funeral-goers.
The family friend added: "The Stroud Green community did Shannon proud and showed that community spirit is still very much alive."
Dawn Lawrence, Shannon's deputy head of progress at Edenham High, paid tribute to Shannon as a "bubbly, popular and able" student having achieved six A-C GCSEs at after attending the school between 2007 and 2012.
Ms Lawrence said: "Shannon was a creative student and talented artist.
"Shannon's strong will, determination and independence were shown when she found her own work experience placement in a law firm where her qualities thrived.
"This is a sad time for the Edenham community as she will be missed by all."
