FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 Report
Mourners packed a Senneville funeral home last weekend to bid farewell to 15-year-old Eva De Wit-Blades, who died tragically March 20 when she was struck by two cars while trying to cross a busy street in Vaudreuil-Dorion.
Friends gathered to share stories and testimonials, and to support the family of the popular Vaudreuil-Dorion teen, who was a Grade 9 student at Ste. Anne de Bellevue’s Macdonald High School.
Eva was described by her family in her obituary as “the bright light in every room.”
“Her fun-loving personality allowed her to make friends everywhere she went,” the notice read. “She loved hard and lived every moment to the fullest. Her enthusiasm for life was contagious and anyone who had the privilege to know her felt that while in her presence.”
Support has also been shown by the community, students at Macdonald High School and their families are rallying around the parents of the fallen student, with three fundraising campaigns that have so far raised more than $90,000.
“We are coming together as a community to support Eva’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” said Julie Lirette, a friend of the family, and whose Gofundme had already raised $89,150 as of Monday. “The emotional toll is overwhelming, and the unexpected financial burden of funeral expenses only adds to their hardship. Our goal is to help ease that burden so they can focus on grieving, healing and honouring Eva’s beautiful life.”
One campaign is being organized by the school’s football team, while another by a single mom in Ile Perrot who said she wanted to do something to support the students as they returned to class four days after the tragedy.
“I started my fundraiser for the single mom of the girl that died and to supply flowers for the return of school to the kids and for pre-paid VISA cards for the family,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. Her fundraiser – which she said she was coordinating with the school — had received $1,700 in donations.
“This is a single-mom situation, the worst thing that could possibly happen just did,” she said. “Many people from the school wanted to help, and I just jumped in to help organize that effort.”
Macdonald High School principal Jason Thivierge declined to comment when reached by The 1019 Report, but a school official described the mood of returning students as “very somber, very sad.”
The tragic accident took place at about 8:30 p.m. on March 20 as De Wit-Blades was walking with a friend along De la Gare Blvd. and attempted to cross the busy street at the intersection of Étienne-Lalonde Street. As her friend looked on in horror, De Wit-Blades was struck by one car before landing on the ground and was then hit by another car.
According to Louis-Philippe Ruel of the Sûreté du Québec, “it appears to have been a most unfortunate accident.”
De Wit-Blades was declared dead at the scene.
Lester B. Pearson School Board official Joanne Malowany said a team of psychologists and counsellors were at the school as students returned to class.
“Members of our student services team, including psychologists and counsellors, were on site and available to support students and staff as the community processes this tragic loss,” Malowany said, adding that the services would remain in place for several days.
The school “has also been moved by the outpouring of compassion from the community. The funds raised reflect how people have come together to support the student’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” she added.
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