It was a time to mourn, to grieve and to remember, “a precious life that has passed from among us.”
A Memorial for Madi was held on Saturday, May 28, 2022 on the east beach in Port Hope.
Madison “Madi” Chard went missing from her home in Port Hope on April 19. She was found nearly a month later near the Ganaraska River.
Police are investigating, but said there is no foul play, “at this point.”
There are still many unanswered questions, but the Chard family wanted to have the ceremony for the community. Who did everything they could to bring Madi home.
People gathered near Gages Creek, then walked to the each beach for the memorial to remember and honour the twenty-nine-year-old.
Family, friends, and strangers gathered on the beach to remember the talented, vibrant woman who loved life.
The ceremony was held on the beach, because that’s where Madi loved to be.
Officiant, Avril Ewing organized the ceremony with the help of many.
As witnessed with other tragedies, when one hurts, the community of Port Hope, the family of Port Hope comes together.
Hundreds of people came to grieve and embrace the Chard family with their support.
“Everyone of us here has had our life touched, perhaps in the tiniest of ways, or perhaps totally transformed by Madi’s existence,” said Ewing.
“We would not be here otherwise. Her life mattered.”
Ewing said, “for the soul, grief is an expression of love.”
The love for Madi was evident. Tears flowed freely, people embraced sharing that grief.
“And every expression of love is healing.”
Like others present, Ewing said she never met Madi, but she remembers seeing her in a high school production of Rent.
“Even all these years later, I still remember Madi – the shining star who stole the show with her performance as Mimi.”
“Let’s always remember her that way.”
Musician Cale Crowe sang a song in honour of Madi, shortly after three choirs including La Jeunesse Choir, Safe Harbour Choir and the Northumberland Players Choir sang a number of songs including Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen as people stood together on the beach holding hands.
Ewing summed up the evening by saying the purpose of the memorial was to acknowledge the hurt.
“We will acknowledge the loss of Madi. The help. We will support each other as we say goodbye to Madi. And the hope. We will go forward from today knowing life goes on and we are better for having known Madi and the legacy she leaves for us.”
Bree Nixon told the crowd, “we’re here because we lost one of our own.”
“And we want to make sure that Madi knows that she is loved. And her family knows that we support them and we honour her memory.”
“We’re here to honour that talented and vibrant young woman who was taken to soon from us.”
For those wishing to donate https://www.gofundme.com/f/fight-for-mental-health-in-memory-of-madi-chard
A message from Officiant, Avril Ewing
I was blown away by the love I witnessed last night and your willingness to put your faith in me to lead you through the evening. Port Hope is an incredible community and I bow to you.
Thank you to everyone for making sure your candles ended up at the welcome table – you all left the beach spotless.
Thank you to David Bamford who helped me get in touch with the right people to make the legalities of bringing a massive crowd to the beach happen, and for always replying to me with lightning speed.
Deputy Chief Jeff Ogden of PH Fire Department for all of his help and getting approvals for having a fire on the beach, and for understanding why we wanted it. Thank you also to David and Delacey, who represented the Fire Department in an official capacity to help keep everyone safe.
Pastor Benjamin Mills for bringing the speakers, mic, and running the sound equipment for us, and for being the first person to reach out with support the second we announced the memorial.
Cale Crowe for sharing his memories of Madi and singing for us, and for saying yes without hesitation, from the heart, even when we had no details at all about the date or time.
Bree Nixon for sharing words about Madi’s family, their history here and love for Port Hope, and for always being one of the best of Port Hope.
The La Jeunesse Choir, Safe Harbour Choir, and the Northumberland Players Choir for sharing their beautiful voices and filling the beach with song. I said I had a vision of our beach filled with a choir of angels and they delivered.
Jennie McCann for showing up and carrying boxes, helping set up and tear down, lighting candles, handing out flowers, and keeping me sane with her beautiful heart.
Jeff Lees for getting us the beautiful firework we saw at the end of the memorial. He said yes without missing a beat and went out of his way to get the perfect one based on the description I gave him of what I wanted it to look like.
Thank you to the media who came and respectfully documented Madi’s memorial for her family, loved ones, and community. The images and videos will be cherished forever.
Thank you to Ted who was waiting at the beach when I arrived to ask if he could decorate it with lilacs from his garden and then got to work making everything extra pretty for Madi. We left the lilacs there for everyone to enjoy today as well.
And of course, thank you to Madi’s family for sharing their incredible daughter with us and encouraging our community to gather and mourn the loss of one of our own. Thank you for allowing me to serve your family and the community this way, it has truly been an honour and a privilege.
Avril
xoxo
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
