Okotoks mom Tara Roe was her family’s rock
She was the rock of both her family and community.
That’s how family members of 34-year-old Tara Roe are remembering the mother of two, killed in last Sunday’s mass shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas.
“Our heartbreak is deep, and these incredible expressions of love and support are helping us get through this senseless tragedy,” wrote her husband Zach Roe, in a statement sent to news media on Friday.
“My children and I thank everyone as we continue to struggle with the loss of Tara, a person who was the rock of our family, an amazing friend to so many people, a person dedicated to the community, and someone who — if she were here today — would be doing everything she could for people in a similar circumstance.”
Roe was among the 58 killed by a gunman who opened fire on the 22,000 country music fans attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival Sunday evening.
She got separated from her husband when the shots rang out, and it wasn’t until the next night they got the devastating news.
“Our hearts are broken as we struggle with how we go on from here without our Tara,” wrote Tara’s parents Mark and Brenda Smith, and sister Tami Spiropoulos.
“As in any tragedy, with something as evil as this, some goodness always somehow seems to come through.
“The outpouring of support from great family and friends, but also complete strangers, have helped this to be even bearable.”
Roe worked with autistic children as an educational assistant with the Foothills School Division.
It’s the generosity of those touched by her story that have made all the difference, her family says.
An online fundraising campaign raised $145,652 in only three days — far surpassing its $100,000 goal.
Tara’s family expressed their thanks for the outpouring of love and support they’ve received over the past week.
“I am so incredibly touched by everyone’s support, which has included everything from financial donations, meals for my family, to the generosity of the Calgary Flames who are bringing my boys to a game and a practice so they can meet the team,” Zach said.
“You honestly have no idea how much this all means to me, to my boys, and most importantly, what it would have meant to Tara.”
Four Canadians died in the shooting, the deadliest in recent U.S. history.