Olympian Melissa Hoskins farewelled by family and friends at public memorial in Adelaide

Hundreds of mourners have gathered to farewell world-class cyclist and Olympian Melissa Hoskins at a public service in Adelaide.

The beloved athlete, mother-to-two young children and wife of champion cyclist Rohan Dennis was killed after being struck by a ute outside the couple’s home in the city’s leafy inner-north on December 30.

The police allege her husband Mr Dennis, 33, was driving the ute and he has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life.

Ms Hoskins, 32, suffered serious injuries in the night time crash and passed away at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Mr Dennis attended the memorial with the couple’s two children, but did not speak during the service. He was photographed hugging guests before the ceremony started.

Ms Hoskins’ father Peter struggled to hold back tears as he welcomed people to the memorial held in her honour in Adelaide on Saturday.

“While we’re still grieving, today is about celebrating Melissa, celebrating her love of life. The friendships she valued, the achievements and her triumphs,” Mr Hoskins said.

The memorial is being held on Ms Hoskin’s 33rd birthday.

He said his daughter’s memory lives on in her daughter who is already reflecting the same “confident, cheeky and fun-loving child,” as her mother.

A tear fell down her sister Jessica Locke’s face as she reflected on how this was meant to be the first birthday in a long time that Melissa would be spending at home.

“She missed out on so many birthdays, Christmases, weddings, everything. This year we were on a mission to change that,” she said.

The pair should have been spending the weekend at a “sisters only” trip to the Hunter Valley that Melissa had booked as a surprise a few months ago, before her death.

“We had already made family plans for all the school holidays till the end of this year. I’m so sad that we didn’t get the chance to catch up on a time apart,” she said.

Ms Locke said it was still “so hard” to speak about her sister while recalling their tight-knit bond, so much so that her sister had her name tattooed on her body.

“I know in time it will get easier. It is still surreal and there’s still so much sadness,” she said.

“What happened was not fair. She had so much left to give.

“We all have our own wonderful memories of Mel. So talk about her. Share those great stories with your family, your friends and your kids.”

Mr Hoskins, Melissa’s mother Amanda and sister Jess released a statement via Aus Cycling on January 2 expressing their heartache at the shock news.

“Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” Peter wrote on behalf of the family.

“Myself, Amanda, Jess and families, are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened.

“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.

“She was the rock of their life and ours and we need to honour her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched.

“The outpouring of sadness and support has overwhelmed us. In her short life Melissa has had so many positive touch points in and around the world.”

Amanda, Jess and Peter flew in from Perth to attend the service.

Mr Dennis is on bail and is due back at Adelaide Magistrates Court in March.

The Adelaide funeral follows a service held in Perth.

Melissa’s cycling teammates and mentors are also expected to attend.

Ms Hoskins competed at the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics.