Thursday 5 June 2008

Monday, Bloody Monday

It has taken me several days to write this post, but it is something that I need to do.

The people of Ottawa woke up this past Monday and either heard on the news or read in the newspaper about the death of Alicia Bateman.

She didn't die in an accident.

She didn't die after a long illness.

She didn't die of any natural causes.

She was murdered by her ex-fiance.

I don't have the heart to go into the details but you can read about the story here.

I met Alicia last year. She was a member of the Canadian contingent that went to a conference in Canberra last May. I got the chance to know her when she joined me for breakfast.

The funeral will be in Calgary and there will be a memorial for her at her workplace here in Ottawa. Since she worked at CSIS and I don't have the security clearance to get into the building, I am writing the post in tribute to Alicia.

Neighbours described her as cordial and someone who kept to herself. I would like to add something to that description.

Alicia was nice, friendly, intelligent, well thought of, fun loving and down to earth. We spoke of our adventures in Aus, the future, the difficulties of maintaining a long distant relationship, dogs and a few girly things.

You will be missed Alicia. Not because we were close friends and spent a lot of time together, but because the world needs more people like you. While the world may remember you only from your death, I promise to remember you from those days of your life in May 2007.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

6 comments:

Kristen said...

I am so sorry! It is not easy to lose people around us. It is true though that we have to remember their lives not their deaths. :) HUGS FROM OVER THE LAKE!!!!

Nancy said...

Well, our family knows first hand about murder of a loved one. My daughter was also murdered by her boyfriend. So senseless and loss of a beautiful girl. Kristen and Mandie are her daughters.
Nancy

Uncle Jimmy said...

Good Day
I am Alicia's uncle
I would like to thank you for your kind words about Alicia
Alicia and I were very close
When we would talk, not often enough, we would talk for hours about what was going on with our lives
You should have seen my phone bill
Alicia would always want to know more about what was going on in my world and not boast about what was going on in hers
She was always so inquisitive
I will miss our long talks
She was taken from us so suddenly I am still in shock
She will be missed by us all, both family and friends
Once again I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind word about such a wonderful young lady
May her angel wings be strong and true
Uncle Jimmy

MadMad said...

Oh, my gosh - I'm so sorry! What a terrible story - and it is always doubly awful when it's someone we've known and liked. How terrible!

Anonymous said...

I was Alicia's best friend when we were growing up, we were never apart at daycare we were called to the terrible twos. I miss her a great deal and have scoured the newspapers to find when her funeral will be. If anyone can help me on this it would be really appreciated.

Alicia K

Uncle Jimmy said...

Hi Alicia K
This is Uncle Jimmy
Why don't you e mail me so we can talk about the service for Alicia
iguanabob@msn.com
Uncle Jimmy