Two victims of N.S. floods identified as families mourn
CBC
A six-year-old girl with a passion for cheerleading has been identified as one of the four people who died while fleeing their homes during a devastating rainstorm last weekend in rural Nova Scotia.
An obituary for Natalie Hazel Harnish says she loved colourful clothing and dressing up like a princess.
"Natalie loved her family trips to the Oaklawn Zoo, she insisted on having season passes. Natalie couldn't wait to see her favourite animal, Blueberry, the bear. She had no fear. The closer the bear was, the better," the obituary read.
"She was a shining light, full of energy and could always brighten up a room. She will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives she touched."
The obituary noted Natalie's dog, Molly, who also died in the flood, "will be laid to rest beside her."
As of Thursday evening, a GoFundMe campaign set up to help Harnish's family had raised more than $77,000.
The Canadian Press identified Nicholas Anthony Holland as another missing person who died in a separate incident due to the flooding.
Holland, 52, was a local performer known for his lifelong passion for music.
His former wife, Julie Giffin Holland, said he was a member of the local heavy metal band Hogtooth, and died trying to escape the floodwater.
"He died a hero and should be remembered as that," she said in a text message.
Nicholas Holland leaves behind a partner and two children.
An obituary on a funeral home website describes Holland as a talented musician who played in many bands over the years.
"All who knew him knew music was his passion," it says.
Holland's body was recovered Monday in Brooklyn, N.S., about 55 kilometres northwest of Halifax. In the obituary, his family thanked search and rescue teams, private citizens and Holland's bandmates for their "tireless" efforts to find him.