Despite harsh winter conditions, Calgarians and Cochranites gathered for a special candle light vigil to honour Ania Kaminski-Wardzala and her father Stanislaw Wardzala in the community of Tuscany on Jan. 3.
Thirty-three-year-old Kaminski-Wardzala was killed in Calgary on Dec. 29, following a Christmas Day domestic dispute. Her 71-year-old father was killed on the same day, but at a different location. She leaves behind three young children.
Her alleged murderer and estranged husband, 38-year-old Benedict Kaminski, would be found dead on Dec. 30.
Kaminski-Wardzala served as an elementary school teacher at Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School in Cochrane, École Edwards Elementary School in Airdrie, and at Springbank Community High School.
Monique Shaw, someone who shared a few words for the crowd at the vigil, said that it was especially heartwarming to see the people honour Kaminski-Wardzala’s legacy.
“We couldn’t have asked to see a better turnout, especially with all the different levels of government that attended,” she said. “They were all deeply affected by this just as much as the community. So, from our councillors, our MLAs, and our MP, this issue really hit at its very core.
“Seeing everyone come together is just really heartwarming.”
Shaw said she was deeply humbled to have the chance to spread the message of domestic abuse awareness.
“This should not be in the closet, this needs to be out in the wide-open because when we live in silence and fear, that is usually what can kill us,” Shaw said.
Organizer of the vigil, Sarah Gustafsson, said she never anticipated that so many community members would be in attendance.
“When tragedy happens, people come together,” Gustafsson said. “This is how we connect and be there for one another, we want to help one another, and there’s an outpour of people from Tuscany that knew Ania, and they wanted to put something together.”
She adds that it is sad to celebrate the unfortunate passing of a loved one, but there is still the need to honour their memories.
“Her family did come out to talk to me, and it’s just beautiful to connect and celebrate her,” Gustafsson said.
For more information and resources on how to prevent family violence, please visit www.alberta.ca/EndFamilyViolence.
