For the small crowd gathered at The Father’s House church in Morinville last Sunday night, a vigil to remember victims of violence against women hit pretty close to home.
In Morinville, Dec. 6 is significant as the birthday of Jessica Martel, who was murdered by her common-law husband in 2009. It is, coincidentally, the same day an anti-feminist gunman shot and killed 14 women at the Ă©cole Polytechnique at the University of Montreal in 1989.
Vigils are held across the country on the anniversary to commemorate that loss, but in Morinville the pain from Martel’s death is still fresh.
“Today would have been Jessica’s 33rd birthday, and instead of celebrating with her we’re here tonight in remembrance of her, as well as the many other women who have lost their lives,” Martel’s cousin Andrea Duncan told the small crowd.
With Martel’s mother Lynne Rosychuk at her side, she spoke about the kind of person Martel was and of the amazing talent Martel had to brighten up a room and put a smile on people’s faces – even with something as simple as a karaoke performance at a family gathering with wooden spoon in hand.
But she also spoke about the importance of doing everything possible to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening, the importance of speaking out on behalf of those who might feel they can’t speak out because they’re scared.
“Remember the discomfort you feel about interfering or meddling in other people’s business is far less than the feeling of guilt for saying nothing, especially when children are involved,” Duncan said. “The after-effects they go through are far worse.”
While the pain Martel’s death has caused for everyone who knew her is self-evident, many who never got the chance to meet her have also felt her loss very profoundly.
Elisabeth Melvin, who works at the church, said she met Rosychuk and Martel’s three grandchildren at the playground one day not long after the murder, and got to know their story. Shortly after, the family became involved with the church.
“From there it’s been a growing relationship,” she said. “Her heart and my heart, when it comes to supporting community and seeing people made whole, definitely our hearts resonated.”
Matty Coppin, one of the pastors at the church, said he first got to know the family through the children attending the youth group, but that relationship has turned into a solid friendship.
“I never got to meet Jessica, but met her through her kids,” he said, adding that he is proud to be able to play a role in the family’s life and ongoing healing. “Whether it’s spiritual or not, getting connected to a community that supports you and loves you is really important.”
He said even though he never met Martel personally, her story has played a role in moving him to confront the reality of this problem within our society and without our own communities.
“This is a very real issue,” he said. “Domestic violence is a stain; it’s a disgrace.”
Sgt. Shayne Courtorielle, a 20-year veteran to the RCMP who was posted to Morinville in late October, would tend to agree. He said domestic violence has been an issue at every single one of his postings over the past two decades – with the exception of his time with the Musical Ride – and in many small communities especially the mind-your-own-business attitude keeps people from speaking out or seeking help.
He said he’s happy to see this attitude changing, slowly but surely.
“Gone are the days where it’s swept under the rug and nobody talks about it,” he said. “But in the smaller communities like Morinville there aren’t a lot of resources: safe houses, shelters, those type of things.”
Opening just such a shelter is one of the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation’s long-term goals, board member Kris Porlier said. At this point, the foundation is in the planning stages and looking at how to acquire land and/or a building for the shelter, so there is much work left to do.
To read Jessica Martel’s story, to get involved with the foundation or just to find out how to make a donation, visit www.thejessicamartelmemorialfoundation.com.
