By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
WINDSOR JUNCTION - The ashes of Julie Vials arrived at St. Johns United Church last Wednesday aboard a fire truck.
Members of the fire service, along with RCMP officers in red serge, waited outside to accompany Vials' remains into the Fall River church for the Feb. 10 service of celebration and thanksgiving to honour her life.
The active community volunteer died Jan. 27 after her car was struck by a Via Rail train. Hours afterwards, a makeshift memorial sprang up near the site of her death, just metres from her home.
Family, friends, fellow volunteers and colleagues filled the pews and the rows of chairs set up to accommodate the overflow crowd that attended the sunny afternoon service.
During a storytelling session, those who spoke commented on how overwhelmed Vials would have been to see so many people at the church. Vials' godchild Jill Webb took a few moments to brace herself before sharing with everyone how Vials was like a second mother to her, her brother Ryan MacLean, and other godchild Jesse Sutherland.
Webb described Vials as an adopted member of her family. She never missed a birthday, graduation, or even the birth of Webb's first child. She spent her Christmases with their family, and Webb recalled how Vials always ensured that even their stocking stuffers were wrapped so they'd have more gifts to open.
"She was the one you called when you needed something bandaged up," Webb said. She read a poem she thought Vials would have enjoyed and noted that "those of you who truly got to know Julie, we were the lucky ones."
Vials' sister and one of her brothers arrived from England for the service. Vials was described by one of her brothers as "a natural leader" and as "a tomboy who never wore dresses." He talked about his sister's renowned organizational skills and was met with laughter when he commented that "some might say she was bossy."
He outlined her early volunteer work that took her to Yugoslavia, Norway and finally Canada. He described how within six weeks of her return to England, she made arrangements to move to Canada permanently, making her home in Windsor Junction for more than 30 years.
Her brother thanked the community for embracing his sister and commented on how much she cherished all her friendships in the community.
"She was living far away from home but was amongst great people," he said.
Her brother also said the family was still struggling to understand what led to the tragic accident that took her life.
A letter by MLA Percy Paris was also read at the service as Paris was on a government-related trip to India.
Paris recalled how he'd always look at his watch when he saw her coming because conversations with Vials were never brief.
When Paris said that he could hear her saying "Well now," or "You see now," as knowing laughter rippled through the crowd.
Paris' letter also described Vials as someone who'd score a perfect 10 for her attributes as a human being. He concluded by stating if heaven exists, Vials is not only there, but would have already initiated a committee or two.
Rev. Valerie Kingsbury, who presided over the service, described Vials as someone who could be bossy and was joy filled, justice driven, and a friend, particularly to those who have no voice.
"And she became their voice, and so I have no doubt Jesus' words to his disciples were also Jesus' words to Julie not long ago," Kingsbury said.
"Enter into the kingdom that has been prepared for you. Well done, my good and faithful servant."
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
