THEY came in their hordes to pay their respects to a talented and beautiful dancer.

Evie Douglas lived for dancing but was unable to conquer her demons.

The former Peebles school pupil was found dead at her flat in Edinburgh.

Tormented Evie, 21, tragically took her own life and left a heart-rending message on her computer that said: “Please try to understand that although you might be hurting over this, this is most definitely what is best for me.

“Please find comfort in that and know that it is better than having to suffer in this hell.” It was standing room only in the main chapel at Mortonhall Crematorium in the south of Edinburgh as family, friends and colleagues gathered to give the dance teacher an emotional send off.

As they waited for the service to begin loudspeakers played one of her most-liked songs, Desolation Row by Bob Dylan.

The coffin, in Evie’s favourite colour of fuchsia, was carried through with her beloved cuddly toy Freda monkey occupying pride of place on the plinth beside it.

Tributes were paid by family and friends during the poignant humanist service.

Evie’s mum Freda read out an extract from the letter her only child had left on her computer before she died.

In the letter Evie said: “ I’m sorry that I’m not strong enough any longer. I know it’s selfish, I’m so sorry. But I just can’t keep going any more. Please try to understand that, although you might be hurting over this, it’s most definitely what is best for me. Please find comfort in that and know that it is better than having to suffer in this hell.

“This message is directed at everyone who knows me and who cares for me … you all know who you are.

“I am sorry that I have not been stronger, but do not grieve over me, instead celebrate the good memories… Know that this is right for me and I am decided, calm and ready.

“I want to be remembered for my quirkiness, my ever-changing hair, my dancing, my art, my passions, my care…I don’t want you to remember me for my depression, but for the person you know behind it.

“Live on for me guys. I’m counting on you all to do everything I planned to do, and be the person I wanted to be but was unable to be.

“Do not worry about me being by myself at this moment. I do not feel alone. I have a mind full of memories and of course Freda monkey is beside me, like she has been my whole life!

“Though it may not seem like it I’m in fact going out on a high, because the whole time I’ve been writing this I have found myself remembering and smiling over moments I’ve shared with all of you.” Evie’s dad Gordon said: “You have given us so much. You had such a wonderful off-the-wall humour and dancing was always your big passion.” He was delighted that Evie had managed to pack in a lot of travelling into her short life as well as indulging in adventurous pursuits such as microlighting and skydiving.

“You are flying solo now - dance and fly and be free,” he said.

Stepdad George said: “Evie’s demons have been banished now. She’s at peace and we should be glad - we might not understand, but there’s nothing to forgive.

“It’s not how she ended her life that matters, but how she lived it - she lived to dance and was so proud of her dancing.

“If only she had seen herself the way the rest of us had as a lovely, talented girl.” Evie’s oldest friend Megan Walker said: “I will remember Evie for her questionable haircuts, her dancing and her microlighting. She had vibrance and a zest for life.” More tributes were paid to Evie as the celebration of her life continued after the service at Melville Castle hotel in Lasswade. Friends and family sang songs, read poetry and watched videos of Evie during happier days.

Photographs were displayed showing Evie right through from the day she was born to her early schooldays at Newlands and Kingsland primary schools and then on to Peebles High School.

There were snaps of her in locations around the world as she indulged in her passion for international travel.

After school, Evie had spells as a student at Napier College and Edinburgh University as well as working as a dance teacher.

She joined the Fiona Henderson School of Dancing as a teacher in 2009 and worked in several major department stores in Edinburgh.

Seven days after Evie died “Dance Inspirations”, the senior show of the Fiona Henderson School of Dance, went ahead as planned. Evie had done some of the choreography for the show at the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles and it was dedicated to her memory.

Evie’s devastated mum attended the show and said: “As the proud devoted mother I have attended many dance shows. Tonight was very special…I sat waiting for my beautiful Evie to appear on stage.

“What I saw instead was the talent and creativity of young people my Evie has inspired along the way.

Through each and every one of you Evie lives on, she touched so many… “Do what Evie fought so hard to do - be your true self, love your self, grow and be who you truly want to be. “ Evangeline Dobson Douglas ( October 6, 1993 - November 15, 2014)