Much-loved New Zealand actress Sophia Hawthorne was farewelled today at a moving ceremony at Auckland's St Matthew-In-The-City.
The funeral, which saw mourners filling the church, was attended by stars of the city's stage and screen communities including actors Sara Wiseman, Craig Hall, Sia Trokenheim, Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Toni Potter, Stephen Lovett and former CEO and Chairman of South Pacific pictures, John Barnett. Along with friends and extended family, they gathered in force to support her grieving parents, actors Raymond and Elizabeth Hawthorne and sister Emmeline.
All three paid tribute to their daughter and sister, sharing memories of a beautiful, kind, sweet-natured and deeply-caring soul born with breath-taking talent. Mr Hawthorne recalled taking Sophia to see the musical Annie when she was a small girl and how she was "entranced". Arriving home, they put on the soundtrack and Sophia sung The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow in a voice bigger than the singer on the album. He realised then Sophia was destined to become a performer.
"Her voice was to be part of her destiny."
Her godmother, Linda Cartwright, described Sophia as "a beguiling mixture of strength and vulnerability" with a mischievous streak, while Auckland Theatre Company artistic director Colin McColl talked of Sophia's ferocious talent and ability to take on difficult and emotionally-demanding rolls.
