A crowd of hundreds gathered Monday evening at Burlington City Hall to remember and celebrate 8-year-old Jayne Hounslow.
Earlier this month, Jayne was hit by a car and killed outside Central Public School.
The crowd heard from Jayne’s family, principal, school board director, and others before walking together in a candle light procession, led by her mother and father. The City of Burlington shut down the downtown core around city hall, lining the streets with police as the crowd moved in unison by candle light to represent the joy and light Jayne brought to the world.
“We felt the warm hug of the community coming together, and we appreciate the support and are grateful for the chance for everyone to witness and feel what we saw every day in our daughter,” Nathan Hounslow, Jayne’s father said. “Her beautiful spirit and compassionate heart, she clearly touched the community and it was great to see everyone here today.”
Jayne was hit by a car outside of Central Public School at approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 3. The driver fled the scene and was later arrested for failure to stop after an accident resulting in death.
Speakers noted that Jayne was a personable, friendly, caring student who always put others before herself. She made her own jewelry, and would make bracelets for others on a whim if they complimented it. Teachers thought she would one day be a fortune 500 CEO or prime minister.
“Jayne led with a selflessness that was beyond her years,” Shalene Werynski, principal of Central Public School, said to the crowd. “She understood that true happiness comes from lifting others up, and she lived that principle every day in the classroom.”
Members of staff and students from Jayne’s school were in attendance. Throughout the crowd, people shook hands, hugged, cried, and shared memories of Jayne.
“It’s an incredible show of support and love for the family,” said Curtis Ennis, director of education for the Halton District School Board. “Jayne was an incredible human being.”
Several speakers made reference to a book Jayne kept with her, full of inspiration quote pick-me-ups. Each who made note of the book referred to one line that encapsulated Jayne.
“If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”
A week before her death, Jayne gifted the book to one of her younger cousins after reading it to her.
A fund in Jayne’s name has been set up by the family to provide accessible recreation, arts, and camp opportunities to local children in need. Donations to Jayne’s Fund can be made here.
“We are determined to grow this foundation so that she can touch as many lives in our community as possible,” Sarah Hounslow, Jayne’s mother told the crowd. “Life is a precious gift, and Jayne would tell you to live it to the fullest, to believe in yourself, appreciate what you have, and that small acts can change the world.”