A primary school teacher who wrote an emotional farewell letter to her students from her death bed has been buried in a coffin that was covered in their drawings. 58-year-old Sue East from Bath, Somerset, was a well-loved teacher and she died on December 19 after a short battle with cancer.

It was on that day that she wrote a gut-wrenching letter to her students in which she told them that she was "going to die soon". She also thanked them for their "joy and friendship". In the letter, East quoted a passage from C. S. Lewis' famous 1952 novel, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, where she compared death to sailing over the horizon in a coracle, which is a small, round boat.

The Daily Mail reported that she signed off the letter with: "Never forget there is fairy dust to be found in every situation, no matter how difficult." In a massive show of support, about 700 students, parents, ex-students, and school staff members filled up the Bath Abbey to say their final goodbyes to the former headteacher of St Andrew's Church School, Bath.

Both past and present students of the school sang loudly at her funeral and covered East's coffin with drawings of fairies, butterflies, love hearts, rainbows, and "fairy dust". Tributes by her students said that they "loved" their headteacher and described the woman as: "Fun, lovely, exotic, glittery, the best teacher, kind, caring, taught us to believe in ourselves, sprinkled fairy dust everywhere". Her colleagues also described her as "an extraordinary friend and colleague", and "bonkers, as all brilliant people are".

East's three children — John, Susannah, and Josiah — all read out heartwarming tributes to their mother along with readings given by staff members, close friends, and even one from Reverand Simon Holland.

Eldest son John spoke of how his mother loved to refer to children as "creatures". He said: "Mum lived freely and selflessly. I am humbled to have received a love so unconditional. Mum didn't just love us, she loved all the 'creatures' she worked with. They were here today celebrating mum's life. She would not think she is more important than anyone here. I would encourage you to live your lives with love to all people."

Daughter Susannah said that her mother's spirit lives on still and that she was there with them all at the funeral. She said: "When she was too tired to talk at Dorothy House Hospice, she would show me the signs of love and peace. She said that death is not to be feared, for it is only coming home. She said how even in the most difficult situations, you find fairy dust. I loved you to the moon and back. I miss you. I look forward to seeing you on whichever shore you find yourself on."

Youngest child Josiah joked about how his mother would have probably reprimanded him for writing a speech for her funeral and not focusing on his dissertation. He said: "She led by example. She raised three children whilst working full time. She taught me that learning is more important than exams and numbers on spreadsheets. To question what you believe and adapt. She taught me how to live life and accept death."

The man finally finished his tribute by referring to one of his mother's favorite films Star Trek Generations. He added: "James T. Kirk turns to Jean-Luc Picard and asks: 'Did we make a difference?' and Picard says: 'Yes, yes we did'."

Those who showed up to pay their respects to the head teacher heard how a "Yorkshire girl" moved to Stratford-upon-Avon with her family and that she loved everything French. They also heard how she wanted to change the world for good one child at a time.

Rev. Holland spoke of East's inspirational qualities at the service. He spoke of how she captured the hearts of the country with her heartwarming farewell letter that was shared by the school.

The Reverand said: "It is good and hard to be here. We want to celebrate the joy and thank god for all that she has given to everyone here. She inspired us, loved us and challenged us. She was an amazing woman that sparkled in life. It is beautiful to see you all here. She was great at asking questions. She lived for people to discover things. In that letter that has gone out around the nation, people have been moved by the words she shared and the words she gave. On the coffin you saw drawings of fairies, butterflies, rainbows and of course fairy dust."