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