Bernadette Stamatov was

yesterday remembered as a

loving woman who would

"move mountains to make

people feel happy, loved and

cherished".

Hundreds of people filled

St Patrick's Cathedral in

Ballarat to farewell Mrs

Stamatov, who died of a

heart attack last week, three

days after being elected to

Hepburn Shire Council.

Mrs Stamatov, 36, was

honoured not only as a lov

ing mother, daughter, wife

and friend, but also as a

woman of public office who

had much to give.

"Her tragedy and her

family's tragedy has become

a tragedy for all the people of

the district," friend Gabrielle

Darlington said.

Ms Darlington described

Mrs Stamatov as a woman of

great humour, fun and mis

chief, who had drive, intelli

gence and dedication, and

loved a good debate.

Mrs Stamatov's husband

Chris lamented his lost soul

mate.

"My soul mate, we did

everything together, we

laughed together, we got

through the tough times to

gether ... I love you and I

miss you, farewell," he said.

Son Liam spoke of his

mother's big smile and warm

heart, saying she had a way

of "making everyone feel

special and unique".

"She would move moun

tains to make people feel

happy, loved and cherished,"

he said.

Mrs Stamatov is survived

by her husband Chris and

three children Liam, Chloe

and Kayla.