"We had so many wonderful times together, so many amazing memories but all of them were so insignificant the day Gareth came into our lives," DrMcHale said.
"You were destined to be a mother and I take some strength in knowing you got six weeks to experience the joys of motherhood and to show in fact you were the perfect mother.
"Steph, the love you have for Gareth cannot be measured in words. I will always remember making you crumpets in the kitchen and looking over at you on the couch with Gareth in your arms, huge smile on your face singing his name, over and over to him. As you know I was never the biggest fan of your singing voice but that was the voice of angel and I will remember that vision of you and your love forever." Dr McHale said his wife's final actions showed her ultimate love for her son.
"I can't even begin to imagine what happened but all I know is that somehow Gareth and Max made it out without a scratch - I know that was because of you that this happened. You chose to take all the scratches for them.
"Whatever you did in that split second helped save them. It truly did prove that you were the best mum and with your strength and the support of our family and friends, I will try and be the best dad to Gareth that I can be."
Mrs McHale's uncle, Rod Pearson, gave an emotion-filled eulogy which recounted the day she was born at Rotorua Hospital, the first of three children to Sheryl and the late Gareth Pearson.
"Gareth was so filled with pride that on the way back to Kawerau he stopped at the home of family friends, the Schusters and threw stones at the window to wake them up and tell them the exciting news."
Mr Pearson told how his niece and her husband were high-school sweethearts.
In 2009, Dr McHale proposed with a treasure-hunt.
"Seven clues for the seven years they were together. Six clues later the pair ended up at Skyline for dinner. By the seventh envelope she was convinced he was going to propose and was disappointed that it didn't happen. "On the way back to the gondola, Ben handed her an eighth envelope and by the time she looked up from reading the proposal inside, he was down on one knee."
Younger sister Charlotte Pearson spoke of how the "Pearson Pros" were formed with their sister, Cati. The trio would swim, bike and run at any event possible. "We have all these specials and great memories of you. But the things we miss will be the everyday things: the texts, the snaps, the 20 questions, the looks, the laughs, the smile, the hugs and the sparkle in your beautiful blue eyes. You were my go-to person for everything big or small, you're my best friend and I'm going to miss you so much."
Others to speak at the funeral included Mrs McHale's mother-in-law, her South Island parents, the Rotorua Association of Triathletes and Multisport, Lakes City Athletics, former flatmates, former principal of Rotorua Girls' High School and a tribute was read from her first running coach.
