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DEVASTATED family and friends of Holly Legge gathered in Sydney’s north-west today to farewell the talented young graffiti artist who drowned while pursuing her passion for street art.

More than 500 mourners turned out at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Castle Hill to remember the life of the much-loved St Peters graphic arts student.

Holly Claire Legge, 22, drowned on January 20 when she was swept 1km through a flooded stormwater drain in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Graffiti artist Dwayne Larrosa, 25, also died when the pair were pinned to bars on the drain that covered an opening into Lurline Bay during a storm.

In an emotional tribute to his girlfriend of four years at her funeral today, Morgan Stephens, 25, told mourners he felt like part of him had died with Ms Legge in the tragic accident.

“Holly was my best friend as well as my girlfriend – we pretty much did everything together,” he said.

“I consider myself to have been the luckiest guy in the world to have loved her and be loved by her.

Fighting back tears, Mr Stephens spoke of her enormous inner strength and belief in herself.

“I love and miss you Holly, and I will always love and miss you.”

A third man, Michal Malinowski, 27, miraculously survived the tragic accident after he escaped through the bars covering the makeshift artists’ studio – known as “The Fortress” – and was swept out into Lurline Bay.

Mr Malinowski was later pulled from the water by locals.

Ms Legge’s uncle, Steve Mark, today said Holly was the victim of “nature’s harsh unpredictability”.

In a moving eulogy, Mr Mark said his niece had made an “impulsive decision” when she chose to enter the drain to paint.

“Holly was always an active, involved and independent person,” he said.

“Holly was always in charge of her own life, being adventurous and committed.

He spoke of her love of sports – including basketball and karate – and her passion for the environment and music.

But it was her devotion to art that drove Holly from a young age, he said.

“For Holly, life was art, and art was her life.”

Mr Mark read a statement from the young woman’s devastated parents Peter and Helen Legge, of Quakers Hill.

“We have been overwhelmed by the enormous love and support we have received from our wonderful family and friends at this very sad and difficult time,” the statement read.

“The number of phone calls, visits, flowers and messages have been tremendous comfort to us.

“We also received many emails from Holly’s young friends, with touching tributes, humour and photos.

“These were greatly appreciated.”

Outside the church, Ms Legge’s friends recalled her passion for art and her generous nature.

“She was a golden person,” Tom Fisher, 22, told The Daily Telegraph.

“There was never a dull moment when she was around.

“She as always smiling and was one of those people who always brings other people together.”

A friend of 14 years, Kristina Downes, 22, spoke of Ms Legge’s devotion to her artwork.

“Her art meant everything to her,” she said.

“That was he person as well has her way of representing herself.

“She was just a beautiful, loving, caring soul.”

Sad farewell to graffitti girl | The Daily Telegraph

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