It was a very emotional night under the colourful Christmas lights at Yarmouth’s Frost Park as the community showed their support for the family of a little girl who died tragically on the weekend.
4-year-old MaCali Cormier was like any child at Saturday’s parade, excited to see Santa.
She was running alongside a moving float when she fell and was run over.
As purple balloons were sent skywards, family, friends and those who never even knew MaCali sobbed.
Many people also wore purple. It was her favourite colour.
Her grandfather, Roland Hannem tells Acadia News the family is coping, with the support of the community.
“That’s making a difference, a huge difference. Just tonight, somebody just shook my hand, you know, that’s all it takes, that says everything. People need to know that, all the little tiny things they did.”
Hannem is a counsellor at Central School where MaCali attended pre-school.
We asked what his grand-daughter would have thought about last night.
“As a little 4-year-old she’d probably have enjoyed the lights. She would have enjoyed the crowd. She enjoyed people. That’s who she was.”
Blair Poole was MaCali’s neighbour.
“She always came to the fence. She called me Papa Blair. She always asked how I was doing. It’s hard, it’s very hard.”
Some first responders also attended the vigil, including one Yarmouth Volunteer firefighter who was right behind the float when the accident happened.
He told CJLS News that he and others who attended the scene are reaching out to get support.
There will be a grief counselling session on “How Children View Death’
It will take place at the Rodd Grand Hotel tonight at 6:30.
It’s facilitated by Bertha Brannen, a Grief Recovery Specialist.
There is no cost.
Details of visiting hours and MaCali’s funeral are expected to be finalized today.
Huskilson’s Funeral Home are accepting donations in trust for her brother and sister and an account has been set up at RBC in Yarmouth.
Family and friends send purple balloons skywards.
Purple was MaCali’s favourite colour.
A vigil is being held in Frost Park in her memory. pic.twitter.com/GAEu5DLibw— Y95 – CJLS (@CJLSRadio) November 26, 2018
Hundreds of people gather in Frost Park to remember MaCali Cormier.
The 4-year-old girl died after being run over by a float in Saturday’s Santa Claus Parade. pic.twitter.com/MGw2Kubj48— Y95 – CJLS (@CJLSRadio) November 26, 2018
MaCali’s parents, Matthew Cormier and Jocelyn LeBlanc at Monday night’s vigil. pic.twitter.com/jG6a1IXDi6
— Y95 – CJLS (@CJLSRadio) November 27, 2018
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(photo posted with family’s permission)
