Dr Leanne Tonney had her finger measured for an engagement ring late last year but she was unaware, until after Dr Woods' death, that a ring had been bought from a fair trade supplier.
Dr Tonney, in an open letter read at the service held yesterday at the Dunedin Hospital Chapel, said the couple had hoped to marry and have children.
"We will never give life to a new life together . . .You would have been an amazing dad," she said.
"Goodbye sweetie."
It was standing room only for many of the several hundred people in the chapel, as colleagues, friends and family paid tribute to Dr Woods (29), before his body is returned to his family in England.
Mourners, many of whom were dressed in surgical scrubs, heard tributes about Dr Woods' medical career, his love of the outdoors and passion for the Everton Football Club.
His zest for life was summarised in one of his favourite T-shirts, which read "Life - For a limited period only".
His brother, Neil, who had travelled from England to take his body back to the family, said his brother was like a light and he hoped his light would continue to burn for those who knew him.
As the Jose Gonzalez song Heartbeats was played, mourners placed lavender on his casket.
