By the time the Olympic flame had finished burning in Melbourne that year, the country had a new golden girl.

History had been made.

During a memorial service in Mandurah on Wednesday, mourners remembered Betty not just for her sporting prowess, but for her humility, her love of God, and her loyal friendship.

Sporting legends Dawn Fraser, Margaret Court, Marjorie Jackson and Raelene Boyle paid their respects among other track and field athletes past and present.

Bruce McAvaney spoke of Betty's legendary status in the sporting arena, and there was not a dry eye in the house when Betty's church pastor, Phil Ayres, recalled his former parishioner's journey of faith.

But it was Betty's long-time friend and carer Rhonda Gillam who, in reading a poem written by our very own sporting superstar years ago, brought home what running really meant to the four-time Olympic gold medallist.

Betty felt free when she ran. With her signature style of high knees and mouth open wide, images of Betty sprinting to victory peppered the service.

There was no disputing her sprint success. She was the best. What she wasn't known for though, was her long-distance running.

But that is exactly how her subsequent battle with MS was described; as an ultra marathon.

For years Betty ran a race of a different kind as she slowly lost the ability to move as she used to and, ultimately, the ability to walk.

She never complained about her crushing diagnosis, and remained a champion to her dying day.

Hundreds turned out to remember their hero.

One woman caught the train from Perth to pay her respects.

Before the service, while looking closely at a file photo of Betty winning gold in Melbourne, the woman said she was trying to spot herself in the crowd.

"You were there?" she was asked.

"Oh, yes. I'll never forget it," she said. "The roar of the crowd when Betty finished first; it gave me goosebumps.

"It still does."