“I love her and miss her and I always will do.”

These were the emotional words of the husband of a mother stabbed to death in the supermarket where she worked.

The funeral was held yesterday of Jodie Willsher, 30, who died of multiple serious injuries after the incident at Aldi in Keighley Road, Skipton, at around 3.30pm on December 21 last year.

More than 500 mourners packed inside and outside Christ Church, Cross Street, Skipton, to pay their respects to the mother-of-one at her funeral yesterday.

Pink was worn by mourners at the request of Mrs Willsher’s family, with many chose to wear the colour as a scarf, shirt, tie or feather boa in tribute to her.

She was described as an outgoing woman, devoted to her family, who loved taking pictures and often posted on social media, and would photobomb pictures featuring her friends.

Mrs Willsher’s husband, Malcolm, had promised the service would be a celebration of his wife’s life.

During the emotional service, which included eulogies from both friends and family members, Mrs Willsher was described as the life and soul of the party and a woman who was full of life and vitality.

Mourners also heard she was a devoted wife and mother.

In a tribute, read out by Reverend Ruth Harris, Mrs Willsher’s husband Malcolm said: “Jodie has left a great hole in our lives.

“She was such a beautiful lady with a beautiful smile.

“She always wanted to help others and be there for her friends and family.

“Jodie loved working at Aldi.

“I love her and miss her and I always will do.”

Mr Willsher’s eulogy also recalled their wedding day at the same church in July 2011 and said she looked amazing and it was the happiest day of their lives. He also remembered the devotion she had for her friends and family.

Songs by popstar Pink and Let It Go from the Disney film Frozen were played inside the church before the service, which was relayed to mourners outside on a public address system.

A round of applause also broke out inside and outside the church during the 50-minute-long service to recognise those who gave eulogies to her.

Mrs Willsher’s coffin was draped with pink and white flowers and floral tributes inside her hearse included one which read ‘Mummy’.

Her coffin was carried in and out of the church service to the song, ‘The Sound of Silence’ by metal band Disturbed.

Meanwhile, Neville Hord, 44, of no fixed address, who was charged with Mrs Willsher’s murder, will next appear before Bradford Crown Court on Friday, January 26, for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Customers at the Aldi store pinned down the suspect after Mrs Willsher was attacked.

Mourners and dignitaries at yesterday’s funeral spoke of the emotional impact Mrs Willsher’s death has had on Skipton, described as a close-knit community.

Chris Allen, who used to work with Mrs Willsher, paid tribute to her outside the church before the ceremony.

He said: “I worked with Jodie for five years.

“It has sent shockwaves through Skipton.

“I just wanted to come here to support her family.

“Today is about celebrating her life.”

Speaking before the service, Reverend Ruth Harris, vicar of Christ Church, said: “This is going to be a celebration of Jodie’s life. Her family members will be talking about her during the service and telling of the joyous person she was. Everyone is just stunned that anything like this could happen in Skipton.

“Everyone knows her family and she was from such a close-knit family. This was the church Jodie was married in in 2011. This is her family’s church.

“She was mad about pink, it was her favourite colour. That’s why people have been asked to wear it today.

“Her’s was a life cut tragically short, but we should celebrate her life.”

Mayor of Skipton, Councillor Andrew Rankine, who also attended the service, said: “The impact from when it happened has been dire. People could not believe what was happening. This has left a lot of people grieving. Skipton is a close-knit community. People are finding it rather hard at the moment. The community will never forget Jodie.”

Hord’s family have previously released a statement saying they have said ‘no words can convey our sorrow’ and ‘ we are trying to understand and it has affected both families very deeply’.