Football community on P.E.I. pays tribute to family members lost in car accident
CBC
On a rain-soaked field in Rollo Bay, P.E.I., coaches, parents and football players from across the province said goodbye to some of their own, as Melissa MacDonald and her eight-year-old daughter, Layla, passed home turf for the last time on Friday.
The two died in a head-on collision in eastern P.E.I. Sunday afternoon.
Last Sunday's accident in Cardigan was still raw for the more than 50 people who attended the tribute — many involved with the Island football community.
"Horrible in a word but at the same time there's a strong family group in the football community and I think that's very evident behind us here today with the number of people that's assembled from right across P.E.I. to celebrate the lives of two amazing individuals," said Justin Dunn, a coach with the Charlottetown Privateers football team.
MacDonald was a coach for the Wildcats football team in Souris and her daughter Layla was known as an enthusiastic young player.
Football was a family affair and kindled friendships across the province.
"She started coaching one year to train in Charlottetown with the Privateers as there wasn't a program for her son Alex in Souris," said vigil organizer Colleen Henderson.
"Then she came up and coached Atom football and she was the trainer for the Bantam and Varsity team up here and she was an amazing coach. Amazing woman."
Outside Layla's school, La-Belle-Cloche, on the electronic banner were two red roses — one big, one little.
Some people who attended the vigil wore football jerseys or tie-dye — the bright colours a favourite of young Layla.
"Layla is definitely a beacon of light. Anytime that you would see Layla there would always be a gigantic smile from one side of her face to the other," said Dunn.
"Layla in her own right was a fierce competitor on the football field. Absolutely, she suited up in flag and tackle herself and they'll be very dearly missed."
Public health guidelines kept numbers small inside for the funeral happening a little earlier.
But the rain didn't stop those gathering outside showing their support for the family.
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