Some members of a group of about 18 families who met through Ronald McDonald House were in Bathurst on Wednesday for Bessie’s funeral at St Michael and St John’s Cathedral.

The families all have terribly sick children and support each other through their ordeals.

Among them was Bessie’s best friend, nine-year-old Port Macquarie girl Tyla-Rose Brown, who had been been with with Bessie since they last attended Ronald McDonald House for treatment six week ago.

But thin, pale Tyla-Rose, with her tell-tale bare head, was determined to be with her “evil sister” one last time to collect flowers “in memory of Bessie” to decorate her bedroom.

The colourful cardboard flowers had decorated each of the pews leading to the altar in the cathedral where a large painted sign read: “If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in a garden”.

“I’ll put the flowers on the wall of my room for Bessie,” a shy Tyla-Rose said as her mother Sharlene Brown stood at her side after the service.

Tyla-Rose had been helped into the hearse to kiss Bessie’s white coffin which was adorned with paintings of flowers and ladybugs.

Other children from Ronald McDonald House were also there to say goodbye as Bessie’s family and friends let white balloons fly aloft shouting, “Goodbye Bessie”.

Tyla-Rose had stood out from the crowd of about 1000 mourners, wearing her pink top with a fluffy collar. It had ‘Evil sisters’ written on the back.

The top was a secret between members of the Fitzpatrick-Orringe and Brown families.

“It was one of two tops, a pink one Tyla-Rose picked out and wore for Bessie,” Mrs Brown said.

It was not seen by anyone else, but Bessie was also wearing her blue ‘evil sisters’ top.”

Mrs Brown said: “Evil sisters has always been something between them as best friends, cheeky little girls. They even had a special handshake.”

Tyla-Rose was diagnosed with incurable cancer three years ago.

“Bessie and Tyla-Rose went through everything together, fighters through chemo and stem cell treatment,” Mrs Brown said.

“They’ve been there for each other.”