The grieving family of Jenna Katherine Morrison asked the public to mourn the death of an "old soul" and not focus on laying blame after the yoga teacher was fatally struck by a vehicle while cycling in the city's west-end.
"This is a time for mourning, not for blame," Carlos Gonzalez-Vio, a spokesman for the family, told a crowd gathered at a memorial site on Wednesday.
"While the family believes this horrible accident is preventable and is actively seeking answers as to how it occurred, the focus continues to be honouring the life and loss of such a radiant spirit."
Morrison, 38, died after being hit by a truck while cycling along Dundas Street West near Sterling Road on Monday. Morrison was the mother of five-year-old Lucas and was pregnant with her second child.
Morrison died after being hit by a truck as it turned right from Sterling onto the westbound lanes of Dundas. She was knocked under the vehicle and pinned under its rear tires.
A memorial has grown in a park near the corner of Dundas and Sterling, as friends and neighbours gathered to mourn over the past two days.
Family members broke into tears and sobbed quietly as they gathered near the collection of candles, flowers and written tributes on Wednesday. While the family has asked to mourn privately, Gonzalez-Vio said they were aware that Morrison's death has made an impact on the local community.
Gonzalez-Vio said it was important the public knew that Morrison was not a statistic or someone who was easily defined.
"Instead the family has asked that you all try to understand that Jenna was an old soul, that she was a spirit and that she started every day by lighting a candle and saying a prayer for all those who are living and all those who have passed," he said.
"You might wonder if she was a monk or a nun but this is how Jenna lived. She was a spiritual being living in a physical body."
Much of the public eulogy focused on how Morrison supported her spouse Florian Schuck during a recent battle with cancer, and the strength it gave him as he fought to survive.
"Florian did survive and he describes his life as a miracle granted to him by a woman who did not live by the rules of the physical world. Jenna and Florian not only conquered this but, against all odds, were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their second child; a younger sibling to five-year-old Lucas, a fourth grandchild for her mother Darlene," said Gonzalez-Vio.
"As all of her friends and family will attest, Jenna gave strength to all the people that she loved. At the cancer support group people gravitated toward Jenna."
Friends created a Facebook page "In Loving memory of Jenna" and have also opened a trust fund for the family of the yoga instructor.
"Though Jenna was spiritual, she loved this world and the people in it," Gonzalez-Vio told the crowd. "She swam through the water; she touched the earth with bare feet. She invited all those around here to stretch, rest and heal. She believed that in dance and movement we are alive."
For those wishing to support the family, donations can be made via the Facebook page or at the following account. TD Canada Trust- Branch: 0246 Account: 6372358. It is in care of Kimberlee White. Or those may call TD Easy Line Banking 1-866-222-3456.
