Bronwyn Meredith, the Rhythm Factory founder, died of cancer on April 3 in Sydney, aged 38. Her husband, Harald Ulriksen, wanted those she had touched in Queenstown to have an opportunity to say "Goodbye'' and remember "Brony''.
Large photographs of Mrs Meredith were erected around the Queenstown Gardens rose garden for the informal service, attended by former dance pupils, close friends, parents of children she taught and some family members.
Speaking at the service, Mr Ulriksen said the couple's friends in Queenstown were like family.
"I just want to thank you for that. Thank you for being here and for being part of her life.
"Queenstown is like a wonderland and it certainly was a wonderland for Brony.''
Mr Ulriksen said he and his wife had been friends, but the friendship grew to love the first time he heard her sing.
At their December 2005 wedding, Mrs Meredith was barefoot - as was the norm - and the large number of children invited were entertained with a bouncy castle and children's songs, sung by the bride.
The Rhythm Factory was founded in Queenstown in 2000, and a few years later the couple moved to Sydney to set up a dance class.
"One class grew quickly to 10 and she got busy and then she got ill.
"The whole time we kept the Rhythm Factory running here in Queenstown; she always intended to come back... but as life would have it, we weren't in a position to do that... it was a big thing for Bron to close the doors here.
"She kept her health issues a private battle.
"Your life stops when something like this happens - everything else goes on, but your life stops. Thank you for stopping for this hour,'' he said.
Queenstown singer Margaret O'Hanlon spoke of setting up the Rhythm Factory with Mrs Meredith and her "ridiculous enthusiasm'' for the project and the children she inspired, before singing What A Wonderful World.
A video tribute to Mrs Meredith's life was played before a toast was made by Mr Ulriksen in honour of his late wife.
