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Candles honour former Winnipegger killed in mass shooting at school

By: Sarah Petz

Posted: 12/17/2012 9:43 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 12/17/2012 10:12 PM | Updates

A vigil was held Monday at the University of Winnipeg for six-year-old Ana Grace Marguez-Greene who was killed in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 14. Young Lucas Gamez lights his candle. Ana's mother taught at the University of Winnipeg and her father taught at the University of Manitoba before moving to Newtown this past July. (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Linda Treverton didn’t know Ana Márquez-Greene, but on a cold Monday night she brought purple candles to the University of Winnipeg to honour the little girl killed in the mass shooting in Connecticut.

Purple was the favourite colour of the six-year-old former Winnipegger, one of 20 children who died last Friday in Newtown, Conn.

"My heart is just so sad and devastated by the whole episode," said Treverton, among the more than 100 people who attended an outdoor vigil at the U of W’s Aurora Family Centre where Ana’s mother, Nelba, worked for two years before the family moved back to the U.S.

The deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School rocked Newtown and reverberated around the world, but Ana’s death provided a local connection to the story that cut deeply for so many in Winnipeg, whether or not they knew the Greene family.

"I haven’t been (in Winnipeg) that long, but I really feel like this has become my home, so this really hit hard," Treverton said.

Ana’s father, Jimmy Greene, taught in the Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba for three years before moving his family back to his home state. The Hartford native is now a music professor and assistant jazz program coordinator at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn.

Ana’s older brother Isaiah, in Grade 3, also attended Sandy Hook but was not hurt.

Alys-Lynne West, a close friend of the Greene family, said Ana was just like her mother — smart, generous and full of life.

"She was spunky, very, very smart... very articulate," West said.

The Wests have spoken with the Greene family, and said they have been relying on their strong religious faith to copy with their incredible loss.

"Faith is what they’re really leaning on very hard right now," Steve said.

Tuesday, the U of M’s Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music is hosting a memorial concert and vigil to honour the life and spirit of Ana.

The vigil and concert begin at 7 p.m. at Eva Clare Hall, 65 Dafoe Rd., on the Fort Garry campus.

This concert is open to all, although organizers have asked that cameras and recording devices not be used so those attending can pay their respects without being disturbed.

"At the University of Manitoba, the death of Ana Márquez-Greene is very personal for the many friends of Jimmy Greene who were taught by him or worked with him...," said president and vice-chancellor Dr. David T. Barnard. "We offer our sincere condolences to the Greene family and their friends. We also express profound sadness for all the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic and senseless shootings in Newtown."

Late Monday, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger asked that flags at the Legislative Building be flown at half-mast for the rest of the week out of respect for the victims of the tragedy.

Six adults were shot and killed at the school Friday, in addition to the 20 kids.

"On behalf of all Manitobans I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the many families whose lives will never be the same," Selinger said, in a statement. "This horrific act of violence has touched the hearts of Americans and Canadians alike.

"Today we stand with our friends, family and neighbours in Connecticut and across America and, indeed, the world, united in grief. We wish you strength and resolve as you heal in the wake of this senseless tragedy."

sarah.petz@freepress.mb.ca

— with files from The Canadian Press

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Updated on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:12 PM CST: Fixes date of U of M vigil

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