Hundreds of people from across the country flooded into the Cunard Centre near Pier 21 Friday afternoon to remember iconic Halifax philanthropist, Ruth Goldbloom.

More than 2,000 friends, family members, dignitaries, and others who felt an emotional connection to Goldbloom attended the funeral.

Ruth Goldbloom lost her fight against cancer on Wednesday. She was 88-years-old. (Andrew Vaughan/CP)

Her daughter Barbara Goldbloom-Hughes described her mother as a "fearless" volunteer who loved life and had the tendency to talk about everything as being, "the best, the greatest or simply perfect."

"It's been overwhelming for me to realize just how much my mother was loved and appreciated in this community."

Goldbloom-Hughes said her parents gave her and her two brothers an idyllic childhood.

"I think it was the best gift any parent could give a child," she said. "They believed in each of us so completely."

Alan Goldbloom, her son, described Pier 21 as his mother's fourth child, saying she requested to have her funeral at the museum she built, but the space was too small to fit everyone.

"Pier 21 could not have accommodated the many people that wanted to honour her today," said Goldbloom.

"She was involved in many projects and causes during her life and was passionate about each of them, but in the end it was Pier 21 that was closest to her heart."

After the funeral, the family attended a private burial, while many attendees gathered at Pier 21, next to the Cunard Centre.

Many politicians attended the funeral, including interim liberal leader Bob Rae. (CBC)

Among the dignitaries and politicians in attendance was interim leader of the liberal party Bob Rae. He says Goldbloom was a dear friend.

Goldbloom lost her fight against cancer on Wednesday. She was 88-years-old.

Her life

She was born Ruth Schwartz in New Waterford, Cape Breton. Her grandparents were Russian immigrants.

She went to university at Mount Allison and McGill universities, married and began raising her family in Montreal. The Goldblooms moved to Halifax in 1967.

One of her early causes was volunteering at the IWK Children's Hospital.

Goldbloom also chaired United Way Campaigns and Dalhousie University's Annual Fund, among other appointments.

In early August, she and her husband Richard, were honoured for their long-term support of Symphony Nova Scotia.

Though she donated her time to a number of causes, it was her determination to create an immigration museum for which she'll be best remembered.

Goldbloom helped raise $16 million over 20 years for Pier 21 to transform it from a derelict building, "to become the second museum outside of Ottawa to be a national museum of immigration," said Goldbloom during a 2009 interview.

"It's the diversity of our immigrant population that brings life to our country."

Goldbloom was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000. She has received at least six honorary degrees and numerous awards for her volunteer service.