“No justice” was written on signs worn by members of the late Cheryl VanHuizen’s family at the end of Saturday evening’s candlelight vigil at Sarnia City Hall.
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A few hundred people holding candles listened as her daughter and son spoke from the city hall steps before a short walk downtown.
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“Our mom was such a bright light in this dark world,” daughter Alyssa VanHuizen said. “Connor and I were the luckiest kids being raised with the blessings of her love and care.”
“We carry her in our hearts every single day and miss her dearly,” her Connor VanHuizen said.
The vigil was organized by the family of the 51-year-old mother of two, who was found dead Dec. 31, 2020, in the Corunna home where she lived.
Shawn Trowbridge, her common-law husband, was found not guilty last month of first-degree murder in her death after a five-week jury trial in Sarnia.
“Our mom would have been amazed to see the amount of support behind her,” Alyssa said. “I know she’s looking down on all of us and is so grateful for the support. Having everyone here tonight truly is our closure.”
“We can’t express how much your presence and support means to us,” Connor told the crowd.
After the vigil, he said, “It’s amazing. There are so many people here.”
Aylssa said the support from the community was “overwhelming.”
“She thrived on being a mother,” Alyssa said. “Her pride in us was apparent when she spoke about us to anyone. To all of us, she was more than a parent. She was our best friend, our number one fan and the gentlest soul we knew.”
As well as honoring VanHuizen’s memory, the vigil was organized to help bring more awareness to the issue of domestic violence.
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“To those who have faced the terrors of sexual assault and domestic violence, your bravery in joining us is both seen and admired,” Alyssa told the crowd.
“What has been happening isn’t right and we just want there to be some sort of change,” she said.
Her mother “deserved a life much richer than the way hers ended,” Alyssa said.
“But, I know she would not want us to live the rest of our lives in sorrow,” she said. “I hear her reminding me to look for the good everyday when I find tears in my eyes.”
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