Hundreds of Winnipeggers came together Saturday to mourn the loss of a former Winnipeg girl who was killed in a mass school shooting in Connecticut.
Six-year-old Ana Marquez-Greene was killed in one of the worst school massacres in American history. Twenty children and six adults were murdered when a gunman opened fire in an elementary school on Dec. 14.
Candida Doerksen knew Ana and attended Saturday’s service. “It’s going to be difficult. It’s going to take time,” said Doerksen.
Ana and her family had just moved back to Connecticut after living in Winnipeg for three years.
Ana’s father, Jimmy Greene, is a musician and professor who was well-known in Winnipeg’s jazz community.
Saturday, a funeral was held in Connecticut for the young girl. The funeral was broadcast via video feed for mourners at Grant Memorial Baptist Church, which operates Linden Christian School where Ana went for three years.
“It’s unspeakable, I had no words this week,” said Doerksen. “It’s a tragedy. I can’t stop thinking about the family.”
And while they mourned, the group said Saturday was also about celebrating the life of the little girl that once loved to dance, sing and play the piano.
Krista Peters is a substitute teacher at Linden Christian School and said she remembers Ana as a happy, playful child.
“I just remember moments of seeing Ana in class and substituting in the next class and seeing her play and smiling,” said Peters.
One of Ana’s fellow students, a girl named Bronwyn, said she remembered Ana for the special help she offered her. “She taught me how to read,” said Bronwyn.
A bursary has been set up in memory of Ana. Linden Christian School is now accepting donations.
