The funeral of little Mariia, 7, who was fatally caught on her way to school in the Centre-Sud district, was held at Rosemont’s Sainte-Sophie Orthodox Cathedral on Wednesday morning.
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The girl’s parents, as well as her brother and sister, were present to say their final goodbyes. The father, Andrii Fleckenkovska, was able to be repatriated from Ukraine a few days ago to take part in the ceremony.
He took the floor to talk about his daughter and to thank people for the support she gave them. More than $150,000 in donations have been raised to help them get through this ordeal and rebuild their lives.
About fifty people were present, both from the Ukrainian community and from the neighborhood where the mother and her children live.
“The most important thing at this point is the love that is shown to the family. I was there yesterday and that’s why I’m here today to give love to the family,” commented a lady outside the church.
The small white coffin left the cathedral just before noon under the gaze of the people who came to support the family.
The young Ukrainian father plans to stay with his family here in Montreal before returning to Ukraine.
“He will stay here for two or three months, but then he wants to return to defend his hometown and country,” said his wife Galyna Fleckenkovska.
Photo provided by a family member
Mariia’s mother, younger brother and older sister will remain in Montreal, a city they now call home.
Despite the immense grief, the girl’s mother says she doesn’t blame the driver who hit her daughter on December 13.
“I know it was an accident and he also has a family. I don’t want him to suffer in return,” she commented.
Remember, the motorist is now facing a hit-and-run fatality charge.