THE life of a special little girl was celebrated at a memorial service.

Ellie May Holden, one of Bolton’s quads, died in her father Marc Hanley’s arms at the age of just five years and nine month on October 10, last year.

Yesterday on the first anniversary, her quad sisters Millie, Bethany, Lucy, now aged six-years-old, along with Abbie, aged 15, and father and mother Gillian Holden, gathered by her beautifully gravestone which the people of Bolton helped pay for, at a special blessing .

The sisters, wearing purple T-shirts featuring a picture of Ellie’s smiling face, released purple balloons in her memory, with some poignantly landing on a tree overlooking her resting place at Farnworth cemetery.

The family was joined by friends and those who had met and been touched by Ellie.

Among those gathered were medical staff from the children’s ward at Royal Bolton Hospital and Victoria Scholes from Hall and Heyes Funeral Services, who has become a close friend of the family and helped co-ordinate the fundraising for the memorial stone.

The Rev Catherine Binns, chaplain at the Royal Bolton Hospital, which cared for Ellie throughout her life, spoke about the love Ellie had for others and the love they had for her.

She said: “Your love for Ellie and her love for you cannot be altered by time or circumstance.

“The memories are yours to keep.”

A special poem for the service was read by grandad Richard Marlowe. It finished with the moving words ‘For when she left she let her love remain’.

Mr Marlowe said: “We stand around theses stones as it was meant. Ellie’s love and smile is her monument.”

Hugs were shared as family and friends comforted each other while the young quads made those gathered smile.

Miss Holden, who lives with her daughters and partner Mr Hanley in Kearsley, said: “The service was lovely and it meant so much to the family because she is so very special to us.

“We come to the cemetery every day and the girls once a week.

“I cannot thank everyone enough, especially ward E5 and Victoria and our family.”