In front of dozens of people who crowded around the family, very close to the child who rested in a small white coffin, Mariia’s father paid tribute to his youngest daughter. He read a prayer in Ukrainian, which the priest Vlodymyr Kouchnir translated into English for the help gathered in the cathedral.
In turn, the girl’s mother Galyna, her big sister Anna and big brother Paul gathered in front of the coffin. Angered, the boy was comforted by the priest.
The two children witnessed the clash that killed their little sister. The three were walking to their elementary school when the tragedy struck.
Mariia Fleckenkovska’s parents, Andrii and Galyna, accompanied by her sister and brother, Anna and Paul, during the ceremony. The mother and her children fled to Montreal a few months ago to flee the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Photo: Radio Canada / Pascal Robidas
A few months ago, the Fleckenkovska family fled to Canada before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Only the father remained to fight against the Russian forces on Ukrainian soil.
The ceremony therefore took place according to the Ukrainian Orthodox rite: everything was sung, from beginning to end, explained Simon Kouklewsky, organizer of the ceremonies in this cathedral in the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district in the east of the metropolis.
Andrii, the child’s father, who was able to leave the front lines in Ukraine against the Russian army, read a message in Ukrainian in honor of his little girl. The celebrant priest translated it into English for the congregation gathered in the cathedral.
Photo: Radio Canada / Pascal Robidas
The family offers the driver forgiveness
On Tuesday evening, the child’s mother had sent a message to the media, which she had read herself, in French, to thank the Canadian people for their material and moral support.
Then Ms.legenkovska, sometimes with the help of an interpreter, said these words in reference to the motorist who mowed down her child: I know he has his family too.
I also don’t want him to suffer too much in this situation, she added, calling the drama an unintentional crime.
Juan Manuel Becerra Garcia, 45, has been formally charged with hit and run resulting in death.
Local residents of the neighborhood where little Mariia lived laid flowers to pay tribute to her at the corner of Parthenais and Rouen streets in Montreal.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
The child’s tragic death drew attention across the country, with thousands of messages sent to his family and a fundraiser to help them raise $153,000.
The fact that misfortune befalls this family after fleeing the war moves the population all the more.
Michael Shwec, president of the Québec branch of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, says the support came from the Ukrainian community, but not only: the support was evident and the family recognizes it too.
This mother, speaking of Galynalegenkovska, undoubtedly felt alone when she arrived in Montreal, Mr. Shwec continues. But today this is no longer the case.
The girl’s father was able to come to his family in Montreal last Sunday with a special permit from the Ukrainian army. He is supposed to stay in the metropolis for another two or three months.
Mariialegenkovska is to be buried in Montreal at the request of her family.
With information from Gabrielle Proulx and Pascal Robidas