Vigils remember woman killed in London attack
Separate vigils in Castlegar and Calgary were held Sunday to remember the Canadian woman killed in last week’s London attack who left behind a legacy of generosity and community service.
Christine Archibald, 30, died last Sunday on London Bridge after three men drove a van into the sidewalk and later attacked people in restaurants and bars at a nearby market. Eight people were killed.
Archibald, who was born and raised in Castlegar before moving to Calgary, was one of several people Castlegar residents remembered and prayed for at a vigil at a park.
The Peace and Healing Vigil was for people in the community who have lost a lovedone or need community support, said Castlegar councillor Deb McIntosh, who organized the event.
“It is about embracing what is good and loving,” wrote McIntosh on Facebook. “Peace and love will always get us through.”
A second vigil was held at the same time in Calgary, where Archibald attended Mount Royal University and worked at Alpha House, a homeless shelter. As part of the ceremony, attendees released dozens of lavender balloons into the air.
Archibald’s family had urged people to honour her memory by volunteering their time or donating to their communities. “Tell them Chrissy sent you,” the family said in a statement.
People responded to the request, using the hashtag #chrissysentme to share their stories of giving back to the community on social media.
A GoFundMe page set up by a friend of Archibald’s fiancé has surpassed its $25,000 goal. The money raised will go to Alpha House and United Way.