The whole of Burlington and beyond was heartbroken by the hit-and-run death of 8-year-old Jayne Hounslow earlier this month; next week, on Monday, May 29, a candelight walk will be held in downtown Burlington to celebrate her life.
Starting at Civic Square in front of City Hall at 7 p.m., the city and Halton Regional Police will support Jayne’s Walk with rolling road closures along the route, including Ontario Street to Nelson Avenue, Nelson to Elgin Street and Locust Street to Ontario Street. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and city councillors will provide free candles to those who would like to join in to honour Jayne’s life and support her family and friends; music will be played by special guests.
Jayne is described by her family in a Smith’s Funeral Home obituary as “a beautiful, strong soul who loved and cared for people more than anyone we have known. She loved playing soccer, taekwondo, singing and telling jokes. She had a sense of destiny beyond her years and regularly wrote notes of inspiration for her friends and cousins. Her determination and generosity were boundless and her smile would light up the room. We miss her terribly, but she will forever live on in our hearts.”
As well as the public candlit walk on Monday, the Hounslows have set up an endowment fund in Jayne’s honour with the Burlington Foundation. Jayne’s Fund will help local youth and children participate in music, sports, and summer camps when finances are a barrier. You can donate via the Burlington Foundation’s website here.
As the Hounslows said, “In memory of Jayne, please help to spread the love she had in her heart for others by doing something kind for someone and thinking of her.”
