TEARFUL tributes were paid to much-loved Sabrina Moccia today when more than 400 people attended her funeral.

The 33-year-old died on January 31 from cardiac arrest after she collapsed at a house in Jennings Street, Rodbourne.

There was standing room only at Holy Rood Church as Canon John Cunningham and Padre Cesare led the service

Paying tribute to her Italian background, a number of verses were read in both English and Italian.

Sabrina, who was an employment coach for Shaw Trust, was engaged and due to marry her fiancé Michael O’Dea who read a eulogy out at the service.

“There is not much I can say to Sabrina other than thank you,” he said.

“Thank you for putting up with my strange ways and for loving me for me. For showing and teaching me that real love can happen. Thank you for sharing your family with me, for saying yes to be my wife and making me the happiest man in the world.”

Sabrina previously worked at the Swindon Advertiser in the advertising and marketing department.

During the service, a number of hymns were sung by the congregation included Amazing Grace and The Lord’s my Shepherd which was followed by a rendition of Ave Maria.

Sabrina’s brother also paid tribute to his sister and said the family has been overwhelmed by the support they have received since she died.

He said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, cards, tributes and flowers that we have received in these difficult last few weeks. It has been very overwhelming.

“Sabrina had a warm smile and this amazing ability to light up any room she walked into. Her smile was contagious and her laugh was infectious.

“She loved her family and she was such a beautiful person both inside and out. I feel incredibly grateful to call her my sister for 33 years.

“She had a huge heart and was always thinking of others. Before Christmas, our grandad was in hospital and who do you think was the person who saw him every day? Sabrina.

“She doted on her nephew and nieces and in the last few months of her life, it was the happiest we have ever seen her. She was engaged to the love of her life and they were due to marry next year.

“Sabrina was taken way too soon.”

She was led out of Holy Rood Church to Gone Too Soon by Michael Jackson for an interment at Whitworth Road Cemetery.

The Moccia family have said if people would like make a donation in Sabrina’s name, they should send them to Diabetes UK c/o A.E. Smith & Son in Queens Drive.