Murdered Sydney school coach Lilie James was the apple of her grandma Barbara Adelt's eye. Sharing a very special bond, heartbroken Barbara will never forget her beloved granddaughter who, at just 21, had her beautiful young life senselessly cut short.

And as Lilie's dad Jamie, mum Peta and brother Max grapple with the sudden loss of their daughter, who they describe as a "vibrant" and M "outgoing" person and "very much loved" by those around her, Barbara, who Lilie knew as "Grams", has taken it upon herself on behalf of the family to publicly thank everyone in the community for their extraordinary support.

LOVED & ADORED

Speaking to Nine Radio's Ben Fordham just days after Lilie's body was discovered in the gym bathroom of Sydney's private St Andrew's Cathedral School, where she worked, the proud grandma recalls the little girl she so loved and adored, who will always have a special place in her heart and who was "the most loyal person"

"I've been remembering the day she was born - bright as a button coming out and never stopped since then," she shared with Ben's listeners.

"[She] just kept learning and having fun. She had a lot of fun, Lilie, and she was so kind."

In a crime that's rocked the nation, the discovery of Lilie's bludgeoned body at the school where she'd been coaching water polo and netball for the past two years has left the country reeling.