Within half an hour Filomena organised the public funeral that takes place today from 11.30am at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park in Sydney – all sponsored by the community that answered her cry for help.
Filomena also chose the name Lily Grace, one of three the coroner put forward as options, to ensure the baby has the dignified farewell she deserves.
“I didn’t feel I had the right to name someone else’s child but the documents had to have a name on them,” explains Filomena.
“I thought Lily was appropriate because it’s a pretty white flower that grows by water, and Grace is just a name I’ve always liked.”
Filomena is overwhelmed by the support from her community and all over Australia.
In Lily Grace’s memory she’s also started a fundraiser to benefit the Newborn Care Centre at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Randwick – visit give.everydayhero.com/au/maroubra-baby to contribute.
The money will be used to buy Ultrablenders which provide an accurate mix of oxygen and air to babies needing breathing support.
“She [Lily Grace] may not have made it but hopefully others might as a result,” says Filomena.
Meanwhile, Filomena is hoping for a big turnout for today’s funeral on Military Road in Matraville where donations can also be made to the hospital.
Inspired by Lily, the memorial park has fast-tracked its new children’s area called ‘The Garden of Innocence’ so it can host the service.
Lily will be the first buried there in a section that also includes one for lost children.
Every year Lily’s funeral date, April 29, will be known as “Baby Lily Grace Awareness Day”, and a dawn service will be held at the cemetery to honour children who have died without a family.
“I’d be rapt if her mum did come to the funeral – we still don’t know what happened to her poor baby,” adds Filomena.
“She might still be out there somewhere but she’s certainly not free; she has to live with this every day.
“This poor girl needs our help.”
In November last year children playing in the sand at Maroubra Beach made the grisly discovery but now the little girl has been laid to rest with a touching tribute from Filomena.
