WOODSTOCK, Ont. - Victoria Stafford's 11-year-old brother broke down in tears at her memorial Saturday as he struggled to get through a moving tribute to his little sister, prompting hundreds of mourners gathered to remember the little girl to also cry.

Brave young Daryn wept partway through reading his speech about his beloved sister, his best friend, so his mother Tara McDonald took over and struggled herself to read the touching words her son had written.

An audible cry of despair went up from those gathered when she read the words that cut through to the depth of Daryn's pain.

"All I can do is think about you and think that I'm your brother, which means that I'm supposed to protect you, but I guess that I didn't," McDonald read for her son, her own voice cracking. Daryn walked his sister home from school every day -- except the fateful day she vanished.

"But still at the end of the day I still can't say goodnight. I waited all day every day just sitting, waiting for your safe return. I'll always love you and I'll remember to tell my kids about you."

This small, southwestern Ontario community was gripped by the eight-year-old girl's disappearance and was shocked to learn of her death. Two people are charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.

But while police have still not found her remains, Victoria's family decided to hold a public memorial to help the community heal. About 800 people gathered at a church to hear emotional speeches from Victoria's mother, father, brother and aunt. A slideshow of pictures of the little girl through the years was also played, set to music.

The pictures began and ended with Tori in a pretty pink dress, the slideshow telling a story of a little girl's rich and happy life, but one that was cut excruciatingly short.

Daryn Stafford said he would miss sharing moments with his sister, like laying in bed until they had to leave for school, hugging her, brushing his teeth with her, kissing her goodnight, walking to school with her, arguing with her and holding her.

McDonald remembered Tori's difficult bedtime routine, complaining that her hair, nostrils or toenails hurt, asking for a drink and whining that she was still hungry.

"I would give my own life if just to hear her sweet voice just one more time, to hold her in my arms, to smell her hair, to smush her nose," McDonald said, beginning to weep.

"I guess it's time to say, `See you later,' as goodbyes are forever. I know that one day we will meet again in paradise, Victoria. Keep a special spot for mommy."

Her father, Rodney Stafford, struggled to maintain his composure as he talked about how his heart will never fully mend from the loss of his beautiful daughter.

No matter how things went in life she was always there to take his hand, say it was all right and that she loved him, Stafford recalled.

"It took me a very long time to realize that you were saying the things to me that I should have been saying to you," he said.

"I just can't believe you're gone. I wake every morning in hopes of hearing that little voice of yours...I love you baby girl and I will never let you go."

Rebecca Stafford, Tori's aunt, flew back from Alberta for the memorial and shared favourite memories of her niece. In the early days of Tori's disappearance Stafford set up a Facebook page dedicated to finding Victoria and raising public awareness.

The site garnered a massive amount of interest, far more than 100,000 people joined, and created controversy of its own as members floated theories as to what happened to Victoria.

Stafford said Saturday she would soon be taking the site down, as another way to move forward.

But though the community's wounds may heal, her family made it clear Saturday they will never forget their "spunky little princess."

McDonald closed her speech by quoting from the Robert Munsch book "Love You Forever."

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be," she said.