Life of Lakeshore residence assistant celebrated

(Originally published on March 13, 2006)

On Friday Mar. 3, 2006, the Humber Lakeshore campus auditorium was transformed into a place of reflection as friends and family grieved the loss of Marci Fenwick, a fourth-year developmental services student.

Fenwick died in an accident in her hometown of Owen Sound over reading week.

About 100 of Fenwick’s friends and family members watched as fellow students, teachers and co-workers presented their memories of the 24-year-old residence assistant (RA).

The memorial, referred to frequently as a celebration of Fenwick’s life, paid tribute to her undying spirit, her passions for dance, and even her phobia of feet. A standing ovation followed a slideshow presentation of Fenwick’s time at Humber put together by her friends and fellow classmates.

Kawa Ada, Fenwick’s supervisor at the Lakeshore residence, delivered a moving and comical speech to the crowd, remembering his personal experiences with whom he calls “Marcikins”.

“She chose me to be one of her friends. And little did I know that I was among countless others, but I still feel special just as all of us felt,” he said.

“I’m sorry that she will never get to fulfill her hopes and dreams for the future. The ones that I knew about, I will carry with me forever.”

Fenwick was struck by a mini-van on the morning of Feb. 26, 2006 while walking along a country road with her boyfriend. The pair was just returning from a night of socializing in downtown Owen Sound.

The van was operated by an 18-year-old Owen Sound resident who was reported to be impaired, although no alcohol was involved.

A local snow plougher who witnessed the accident immediately called emergency services. Fenwick was taken to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Andrew Kaszowski, an RA at Humber North and fourth-year media studies Guelph-Humber student, says the close-knit residence assistant team never thought such a tragedy would happen to one of their own.

“She was always terrific to talk to and her smile never left her face,” he says. “She was terrific teammate, RA and a great human being.”

The Lakeshore campus RA’s bid farewell in their own way by performing Tim McGraw’s “My Old Friend” at the memorial. Sign language was also done along side the vocal performance, in honour of Fenwick’s passion for the developmentally disabled.

Stacy Fenwick, Fenwick’s older brother, joked about the performance later as he addressed the audience.

“I think I sure could have used some of that sign language on the way down here,” he said. “We ran into some yakkers on the road and I had to give them the ol’ one-finger.”

He followed the comment with heartfelt thanks on behalf his family and a suggestion to organize a walk-a-thon or scholarship program in Fenwick’s name.

Many also paid their respects at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church earlier that week during Fenwick’s funeral in Owen Sound. She was buried at Annan Cemetery thereafter.

Photography: Ashley McKee

Source: The Guelph-Humber Radix, March edition