Family and friends of Jennie Lynda-Lee Graves held a vigil Friday evening at the at the St. Vital corner where she died after being pushed out of a moving vehicle. Police are calling the case a domestic dispute.
"She was only on this earth for 35 years, but she touched so many people and so many hearts," said Stephanie Anaka, a close friend of Graves.
Dozens of those closest to Gravesheld candles at the corner of St. Anne's Road and St. Mary's Road to celebrate their friend, sister, and mother. They remembered her for a contagious sense of humour and also her ability to relate to others.
"She would just give you the time of day. That's the kind of person she was," said Anaka.
"She was one of my best friends and I miss her and this isn't fair," said Graves’ sister, Kala Macdonald.
Graves was killed early Wednesday morning after being pushed out of a moving vehicle. Police say she was pushed out by her common-law partner during an argument.
She was hit by the rear wheels.
"Jennie would probably look at this and say, 'Don't do what I did, don't drink. It’s not worth it, don't argue, don't fight,’" said Anaka.
"One minute, you think your mom is driving home, and the next, you get a phone call saying your mom has passed on," said Julie Laporte, Jennie's oldest daughter.
Surrounded by loved ones, Laporte stands strong for her three siblings. The 15 year-old says she wants to be just like her mom, who had the ability to pull through tough times with a smile.
"She thought she was alone at times. She thought she had no friends, but look, I know she's looking down and seeing how many friends she had waiting for her," said Laporte.
"The kids needed the support,” said Anaka. “They needed to know that other people thought she was great, and she was, and I think we really, really felt that here."
Keith Ryan Thompson, 35, is charged with a number of offences in this case, including criminal negligence causing death, impaired driving causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
- With a report by Michelle Gerwing
