School community grieving teacher’s death
Marjolaine Ward, victim in fatal motor vehicle-bicycle collision, taught at École Pierre-Chiasson in Deblois
The 60-year-old Alberton woman who was killed Monday while riding her bicycle in Kildare Capes was a longtime member of the teaching staff at École Pierre-Chiasson in Deblois.
School principal Ghislain Bernard said Marjolaine Ward had been the school’s French language arts teacher since
2006, working primarily with students at the intermediate and senior high levels.
“She will be very much missed by students and staff as she was a teacher who always held her students’ success very close to heart,” he said.
“She always put them first and went the extra mile to help them achieve their goals.”
Ward was from Miscou Island in New Brunswick.
“Her presence will be missed,” read a social media post from the school. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mme. Marjolaine’s family, her students and colleagues as well as those who knew her.”
Bernard said the school has heard from several graduates since word of their teacher’s death spread.
The school had grief counsellors on site Wednesday, and they will be there again today to meet with any students and staff who need to talk and to grieve and to share. Bernard said counsellors will also be available on the first day of classes next week.
Ward was riding her bicycle along Route 12 in Kildare Capes shortly before 7 p.m. on Monday when she was struck by a vehicle.
Residents of the community heard the crash and rushed to the victim’s aid. She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital.
The driver of the vehicle that struck her left the scene, but police later arrested a 31-year-old man from Kildare Capes.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Derrick Hewitt said the individual was released from custody Tuesday evening.
He said charges have not been finalized as the investigation into the collision is still ongoing.