N.S. community moving forward after tragic 2018
Year was bookended by the deaths of five local children, all under age 8
YARMOUTH, N.S. — A community on the southwestern coast of Nova Scotia is looking forward to a brighter 2019 after a year that’s been marred by tragedy.
Five children, all under the age of 8, died in two separate incidents at the start and the end of the year in Yarmouth County, N.S., leaving waves of grief in their communities.
“We suffered some significant personal tragedies that a number of families experienced in our community, including everyone’s worst fear and nightmare come true — and that’s the loss of children,” said Zach Churchill, Nova Scotia’s education minister and the MLA for Yarmouth.
“None of us love anything more than our kids, even our- selves. So any parent can understand the pain and suffering that that sort of loss can have.”
In the early hours of Jan. 7, 2018, a house fire in the community of Pubnico Head killed 4-month-old Winston Prouty, 4-year-old Jayla Kennedy, 7year-old Mya Prouty and 7year-old Mason Grant, a cousin who was visiting for a sleepover.
In their obituaries, the children are remembered for their mischievous smiles, boundless senses of humour, love of the outdoors and happy giggles. Then, in late November, 4-year-old MaCali Cormier — remembered in her obituary as someone who loved helping people and an “awesome big sister” — died after falling under the wheels of a parade float during Yarmouth’s annual Christmas parade.
But in the days and weeks that followed these incidents, Churchill said the community was quick to leap into action to support the affected families in any way they could.
“There’s really only so much you can do.
“You can’t dull the pain, you can’t reduce the suffering that people are experiencing,” he said.
“But … it was inspiring to see everyone wrap their arms around those families that were impacted, be there for them in their moment of grief and suffering, and support them through that.”
In the aftermath of the tragedies, fundraising campaigns for the families were launched, services and vigils were held and, in both cases, local funeral homes covered the costs of the children’s funerals.
But more than that, the communities themselves grew closer, according to Pam Mood, mayor of Yarmouth.
“I think everyone understands when a tragedy happens, everybody, without exception, wants to do something,” she said.