Mother of Ukrainian child fatally struck by vehicle says daughter loved Montreal | 24CA News
Galyna Legenkovska fled war-torn Ukraine along with her three youngsters earlier this 12 months, rebuilding her life in Canada whereas her husband stayed behind to struggle invading Russian forces.
But then that new life was flipped the other way up as soon as once more on Dec. 13 when her seven-year-old daughter, Mariia, was fatally struck by a automobile on her solution to college in central Montreal.
“I am very touched by the reaction of Quebec to this tragedy that has affected my family,” stated Legenkovska, talking in French throughout a public memorial service on the St. Sophie Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral on Tuesday night.
She thanked everybody from politicians and police to hospital employees and group volunteers for his or her efforts to succeed in out, supply donations and lift cash for her household.
Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia, 45, has been charged with leaving the scene of a deadly accident in connection to Mariia’s loss of life. He lives in Longueuil, Que., simply south of Montreal.
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Galyna Legenkovska, talking by a translator, remembers her daughter Mariia as a cheerful baby who liked life throughout a Montreal memorial service for the seven-year-old. Mariia was fatally struck by a automobile on her solution to college on Dec. 13.
Legenkovska’s husband arrived in Montreal on Sunday. Legenkovska stated he’ll keep for a couple of months to help the household after which return to defend their house metropolis and nation in opposition to the invasion.
However, the household then intends to remain in Canada, she stated.
Memorial service held to wish for lady’s soul
The memorial service, a panakhyda in line with the Ukrainian Orthodox ceremony, was being held on the eve of the little lady’s funeral, which is deliberate for Wednesday morning.
Parish member Simon Kouklewsky stated such memorials are historically held to wish for the souls of the useless.
The service is shorter than a funeral, and is often repeated.
It’s usually held on the third day, seventh day and fortieth day after the day. It’s then held on the loss of life’s anniversary. He stated he is without doubt one of the singers, including his voice to a standard hymn that is been modified for the service.
In training, he is discovered himself stopping and tearing up.
“The whole year has been very emotional,” stated Kouklewsky. “The country of my ancestors is being bombarded in a full-scale invasion.”
And then one household flees to the security of Canada, solely to have a baby die like that is tragic, he stated.
Mother says daughter ‘liked life’
Legenkovska answered questions from reporters earlier than the service with the assistance of a translator. She stated her household is struggling, however everybody is aware of they cannot change what occurred.
She stated they should get used to life with out her.
“She was a happy child. She was a child who loved life,” Legenkovska stated by the translator. “Mariia will be upon us now and all the children.”
Looking by photographs, she discovered a selfie of Mariia. She remembers her saying, “I love Montreal. I am here now.”
Mariia’s loss of life has despatched shock waves by Montreal and prompted indignation amongst residents of the Ville-Marie borough. The group has been demanding pedestrian security enhancements for years.
The metropolis’s ombudsman has opened an investigation into the lady’s loss of life.
Michael Shwec, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for Quebec, stated Montreal’s Ukrainian group continues to be in shock.
“A seven-year-old girl went to school in the morning and then, bam, it’s over. It’s very difficult to accept,” he stated.
Shwec, who has met with Legenkovska, stated the group’s help has been vastly appreciated. An on-line fundraising marketing campaign has raised greater than $150,000 in six days.
Shwec stated Global Affairs Canada’s effort to shortly get Mariia’s father to Montreal has been appreciated as nicely.
