Her passion for dogs was evident in the tributes paid by family, friends and colleagues, photos of her pet rottweilers featured in the service sheet and mourners were asked to make donations to the New Zealand Guide Dog Appeal ''as dogs were a particular love and passion of Leigh's'', funeral celebrant Jeannie Barker said at the service.
Susan Leigh Cleveland (55), known as Leigh, and her colleague Peggy Noble, were shot dead while working at the Ashburton Work and Income office on Monday. Ashburton man Russell John Tully has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and a 30-strong contingent of Work and Income staff were among about 300 mourners at Ms Cleveland's funeral.
Mrs Barker said it was a time for comfort and support rather than focusing on the ''why and wherefores'' of Ms Cleveland's ''senseless death''.
''There will be time enough for that in the days, weeks and months ahead,'' she said. Ms Cleveland's Alexandra-based family had been touched by the ''many deeds of compassion''.
Pipers heralded the arrival of the family at the service and led the mourners out of the Alexandra District Club after the service.
Niece Kylie Cathro struggled to hold back tears as she spoke on behalf of the family and outlined an idyllic childhood for her aunt, who attended Alexandra Primary School and then Dunstan High School in Alexandra before heading off to Fairlie, aged 17, to her first job.
Later, Ms Cleveland took a job with Work and Income in Christchurch and asked for a transfer to Ashburton after being upset by the earthquakes. She ''loved her little home''in Ashburton, and enjoyed gardening and reading ''but her dogs were her life'', her niece said.
It was difficult to say goodbye to her aunt in such circumstances, she said.
''Being a mum, I cannot imagine losing a child in such a horrific way ... you have been so strong this week.''
A former colleague at Work and Income said Ms Cleveland had a natural rapport with clients and supported them to achieve their goals, treating them with respect and expecting the same in return.
