The memorial for Nancy Cooper, a former Edmonton woman who was found murdered in North Carolina last week, brought out hundreds Wednesday afternoon.
The service was held at Grace Lutheran Church and was filled with close to 400 people.
Cooper was baptized at the church and attended it until she moved to North Carolina eight years ago after her husband, Brad Cooper, got a job there.
Cooper's body was found in a storm sewer near her home in Cary, NC on July 14, two days after she was reported missing.
Today family and friends shared memories of the 34-year-old.
"It's something that she deserves and she would want and we need to do a lot of that in the next little bit," said Cooper's brother Jeff Rentz.
The family returned to Edmonton on Sunday after spending many days in Cary.
"Her friends welcomed us into their hearts and their homes and we felt right at home...we were treated like family," said Rentz. "Everything we needed was there and we didn't have to ask for anything."
The service was doubly difficult for many as the day also marked Cooper's youngest daughter Katie's 2nd birthday.
"Katie, she's young, so it's a little bit over her head unfortunately. I think Bella is starting to piece things together so we'll have to keep her grounded for the next little bit," said Rentz.
Garry and Donna Rentz, Cooper's parents, were awarded temporary custody of their granddaughters after they argued that the children's father, Brad Cooper, wasn't a fit parent.
Brad Cooper, who's been accused by his wife's family of having an affair and emotionally abusing his wife and children, did not attend the memorial in Edmonton.
No charges have been laid.
Cooper's family will return to North Carolina Thursday for a custody hearing the following day.
"There's some difficult times ahead so we certainly know what's coming," said Rentz.
With files from Erin Isfeld
