Sheâs being described as a âbright lightâ with a huge heart. She was generous, kind and had respect for everyone. In the prime of her life, the young woman was embarking on a new adventure in another country with her fiancé.
The first victim of Saturdayâs terror attacks in London has been identified as 30-year-old Christine Archibald from Castlegar, B.C.
She was among seven people killed when attackers drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge, before they abandoned the vehicle in the nearby Borough Market, where they stabbed people at random before being fatally shot by police.
Patrick Audet, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the grieving family in Castlegar on Sunday, said Archibald was born, raised and beloved in the West Kootenay city.
âWe grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister,â Audet said. âShe had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.â
âThe love of his lifeâ
The young woman had moved to Europe earlier this year to be with her fiancé Tyler Ferguson, who was working overseas.
Fergusonâs sister, Cassie Ferguson Rowe, on Sunday that her baby brother had âlost the love of his lifeâ on the London Bridge.
âIn a split second his entire life was ripped away from him. Hearing his painful sobs on the phone while he's alone trying to deal with this tears me apart,â Rowe wrote. âI have no words.â
Fergusonâs brother, Mark Ferguson, also wrote about the attack . He said Archibald was one of the victims struck by the van on the London Bridge.
âThey tried everything but weren't able to save her. His life, and all those close to her have been changed forever,â he wrote.
âA bright lightâ
Before moving to Europe, Archibald had lived in Calgary while attending Mount Royal University. She graduated from the schoolâs social work program in 2015.
During her time in Calgary, her family said she worked at the Calgary Alpha House Society, a homeless shelter that helps people with addiction.
âShe would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death,â Audet read in the statement.
Kathy Christiansen, executive director of Alpha House in Calgary, told ŰÎŰ´ŤĂ˝ Channel on Monday that Archibald started working at the shelter as part of her university social work program and was hired as a full-time staff member after that.
She said the young woman worked in the shelter for two years before she moved to Europe in February.
âI guess one of the things about Chrissy is that I think the work was a real natural for her. Her connection to the clients was quick and she was viewed as a valued workmate.â
In a on Sunday, the shelter said its employees were âdevastatedâ by the news of Archibaldâs death. They described her as a talented social worker, workmate and exceptional human being.
âChrissy was a bright light to many, and her generosity, kind spirit and huge heart for her work in responding to issues of addictions and homelessness at the centre inspired us all,â the statement said.
Peter Choate, an assistant professor in social work at Mount Royal University, knew Archibald from her time there as a student. He said he couldnât imagine what her family is experiencing right now.
âYou see a bright light⌠and then that lightâs gone,â Choate told CTV Calgary on Sunday. âThatâs a tough, tough story. As tough as it is for us, itâs immeasurably tough for her fiancé. I canât imagine what thatâs like to have your fiancé die in your hands.â
Mount Royal University condemning the violence that killed one of their alumni.
âChristine Archibald was a truly outstanding student,â the statement read. âOur deepest condolences go to her family and loved ones, as well as to members of our community who are grieving her loss.â
#chrissysentme
Audet said Archibaldâs relatives were in âshock and mourning.â He said they have asked the public to honour her memory by giving back to their communities.
âVolunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter,â he said. âTell them Chrissy sent you.â
In response to the request, the started trending with users expressing their condolences to Archibaldâs family as well as sharing the altruistic gestures they planned to complete in her memory.
Honouring Christine and all the amazing contributions she made during her short time in this world.
â Michelle (@FinnSpirit)
When they go low, we go high. Thanks for knowing that we aren't actually jerkfaces.
â Crackmacs (@Crackmacs)
In honour of Chrissy Archibald, I donated $100 to .
â Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity)
Christiansen said she thinks Archibald would have been âdelightedâ to know that people were reaching out to help those in need in her honour.
âWhat Chrissy would want is to change perspectives on people struggling with addiction, people struggling with homelessness and if thatâs an outcome, I think weâre grateful and I know she would be too,â she said.
The Canadian High Commissioner announced that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been in touch with Archibaldâs family. Members of Parliament observed a moment of silence in the House of Commons on Monday.
The family has also created for her and the other victims of the attacks so the public can pay their respects.
With files from CTV Vancouver, CTV Calgary and The Canadian Press