OTTAWA – Stephanie Robillard attended last night’s candlelight vigil out of respect for the six people who died in a horrific bus crash in Ottawa’s southwest end.
What she didn’t know was that one of the victims had been her friend since grade 4.
“I came yesterday not knowing what had happened,” said Robillard.
Her childhood friend, 53-year-old Karen Krzyzewski, died when the double-decker city bus slammed into a train Wednesday.
“I got a phone call this morning at work and it was the worst morning I’ve had in a long time. I had a phone call telling me what had happened and I couldn’t continue at work,” a visibly shaken Robillard said Thursday, at the site of the crash near Fallowfield station.
“I wasn’t well after I – after I took the news. They had to take me to (the emergency room) and get some medication because I was just devastated. And they told me to go home.”
Robillard recalled Krzyzewski as a thoughtful person who loved needlepoint.
“She had lots of friends who loved her. And she was always there for me. Every time I had problems she was always there for me. I would call her, she would call me,” said Robillard.
Another friend, Rhonda Saikaly, said Krzyzewski was very talented.
“Very artsy, loved to read and do her crafts,” said Saikaly.
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In a statement, Krzyzewski’s family said she is survived by her two young adult children, her parents, a brother and two sisters.
“We are very saddened by the loss of Karen. She was a gentle spirit who was caring and compassionate to others. She loved life to the fullest,” the statement said.
The family said Krzyzewski worked happily for 28 years at the Library and Archives Canada.
“She believed that libraries were an important part of Canadian culture and dedicated her working life to this,” they said.
In a statement, Herve Dery, Acting Librarian and Archivist of Canada said the library learned last night about “the sudden and tragic passing of Karen Krzyzewski.”
Dery said Krzyzewski was an electronic publications acquisitions assistant.
“She was a dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced employee who will be greatly missed by her friends and colleagues at the institution,” said Dery.
“The staff and management of Library and Archives Canada would like to express their sincere condolences to Ms. Krzyzewski’s family and friends, and to the families of the other victims of this tragedy.”
Heritage Minister Shelly Glover extended her condolences on behalf of the government.
The family also linked to Krzyzewski’s Pinterest site, showing her various craft activities, including stamping and knitting.
As her two friends comforted each other Thursday, Robillard said Krzyzewski was a wonderful person.
“I’ll never forget her.”
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