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Family starts a new chapter after the death of their 4-year-old daughter

- Celina Aalders

Lindsay and Charbel Moussi are the new owners of White Sails Bakery and Deli in Tantallon, N.S., but it was a tragedy that led them there.

Seven months ago, their lives were turned upside down after the death of their four-year-old daughter, Kennedy.

She had a history of seizures and died suddenly. The family said the exact cause of her death is still un‐ der review.

Lindsay says it was Kennedy's love for baking that inspired them to ap‐ proach the previous owners of White Sails and ask to buy their business.

"[Kennedy] was literally the biggest ball of energy," Lindsay said. "She loved everybody, and she loved baking."

Now under their owner‐ ship, the Moussis have cho‐ sen to keep many of the same recipes that community members know and love. But they're also finding ways to honour their late daughter.

Like Kennedy's Confetti Squares, one of Kennedy's favourite marshmallo­w and chocolate treats that she used to help bake with her mom and grandmothe­r.

One dollar from every six pack sold is being donated to Sherbrooke Lake Camp in Franey Corner, N.S., which Kennedy was looking forward to attending for the first time this summer.

The money will help spon‐ sor a child in need and help pay for their camp experi‐ ence.

Along with being a baker at White Sails, Kennedy's grandmothe­r, Lorna Zinck Gordon, is a summer cook at Sherbrooke Lake. She says Kennedy loved visiting her at the camp last summer, and she was looking forward to having her there this year.

"Kennedy was my life," said Zinck Gordon. "She was just the most beautiful hu‐ man ever to walk this earth."

Along with support from family, Lindsay says that en‐ couragemen­t from the com‐ munity has been helpful in getting them through this dif‐ ficult time.

"The support has just been very overwhelmi­ng, and we really appreciate it," said Lindsay.

"As soon as you walk through that door as a cus‐ tomer, you're no longer a cus‐ tomer. We consider you fami‐ ly."

Not only are Lindsay and Charbel grieving the loss of their daughter and running a new business, but they also have two young boys — sev‐ enteen-month-old Atti‐ cus and three-month-old

Ameer.

In fact, the Moussis an‐ nounced Lindsay's pregnancy with Ameer just one day be‐ fore Kennedy's passing.

They say that Kennedy couldn't wait to welcome her second baby brother.

"She was just so natural at being a big sister," said Lind‐ say. "There was no jealousy, no anger. It was only pure love. She was so excited." Birthday celebratio­ns

On June 25, what would have been Kennedy's fifth birthday, the Moussis are hosting a barbecue celebra‐ tion at White Sails.

All proceeds from the event will go toward the Sher‐ brooke Lake Camp sponsor‐ ship, and to the Estabrooks Community Hall, which offers financial aid to two or three local families around the holi‐ days.

They will also be accepting donations of unopened toys for these families.

They say everyone is wel‐ come and encouraged to come and celebrate Kennedy 's life.

"So this is my reminder to everybody that it costs noth‐ ing to be kind. And we just thank everybody who walks through those doors," said Lindsay.

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