Canadian Olympic figure skater Joannie Rochette momentarily laid her bronze medal on her mother's casket as she said farewell during funeral services in Berthierville, Que., on Thursday.
Thérèse Guèvremont-Rochette, 55, died of a heart attack just days before her daughter's Olympic performance in Vancouver last month.
Despite her loss, Rochette delivered two solid performances to earn the bronze medal.
It was her mother who guided her, loved her and made her work for her dreams, the Olympian told the roughly 800 people who packed the small church.
"I'm happy today because we're celebrating the life of my mother, Therèse — a short life but an intense one," Rochette said.
"She taught me how to be brave. … She was always there for me."
After the service, Rochette followed her mother’s casket out of the church, accompanied by family members.
Until Guèvremont-Rochette’s untimely death, mother and daughter had been inseparable, said those attending the funeral.
"The mother give to her daughter the best — the courage, the guts to get that bronze medal — what a wonderful gift for Canada, for Quebec, for the world," one family friend told CBC News.
Joannie Rochette, centre, is seen with her mother, Therese Guevremont-Rochette, and her father, Normand, in this undated photo. (CBC)
The entire community has mourned with Rochette, Berthierville Mayor Bernard Grégoire said.
"Therèse has been a part of the heritage of this region," he said. "It is a big loss."
Rochette said she drew inspiration from many people around the world who rallied around her during a stressful and trying time, including her fellow Canadian athletes and people she'd never met.
On Sunday night, Rochette carried the Canadian flag for the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Games.
The 24-year-old is the first Canadian woman to win a singles figure skating medal at the Olympics since 1988.
With files from The Canadian Press
