The heartbroken husband, parents and sister of Tara Roe are expressing their gratitude for an outpouring of support from friends and strangers from across North America.
Roe, a 34-year-old mother of two, was killed in Sunday night’s deadly shooting in Las Vegas.
READ MORE: Alberta woman, Tara Roe, 4th Canadian killed at festival
Friends told Global News Roe was in Vegas with her husband, Zach, and that the couple was celebrating their anniversary.
On Friday, a friend of Roe released two statements: one from Zach and another signed by parents Mark and Brenda Smith and sister Tami Spiropoulos.
You can read the full statements below.
From husband Zach Roe:
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and outpouring of love and support from both those near to us and from complete strangers from across North America.
I am so incredibly touched by everyone’s support, which has included everything from financial donations, meals for my family, to the generosity of the Calgary Flames who are bringing my boys to a game and a practice so they can meet the team. You honestly have no idea how much this all means to me, to my boys, and most importantly, what it would have meant to Tara.
Our heartbreak is deep, and these incredible expressions of love and support are helping us get through this senseless tragedy.
My children and I thank everyone as we continue to struggle with the loss of Tara, a person who was the rock of our family, an amazing friend to so many people, a person dedicated to the community, and someone who – if she were here today – would be doing everything she could for people in a similar circumstance. I don’t think she had any idea how important she was to so many people in our community and beyond.
My kids and I are forever in debt to Tara, for making us who we are today, and my promise to her is that I will lead our family by the example she set for us, and ensure her memory lives forever in our hearts.”
From parents Mark and Brenda Smith and sister Tami Spiropoulos:
“Our hearts are broken as we struggle with how we go on from here without our Tara. We had Tara for 34 years and the many memories we have of her will be ours forever.
We remember her as an active, young girl who enjoyed dancing, swimming, and especially being at Clear Lake—her favourite summer spot. As a young woman, she was kind and caring, always looking for ways to help family and friends and others in our community.
Her career led her to work with children with autism, where her star really shone brightly. She remained loyal to many lifelong friends, was always a wonderful sister, auntie, cousin and granddaughter.
As in any tragedy, with something as evil as this, some goodness always somehow seems to come through. The outpouring of support from great family and friends, but also complete strangers, have helped this to be even bearable.
With so many acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, they mean so much. There are no words to express our heartfelt gratitude.
We would especially like to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful people of WestJet, who have not once left our side and have treated us like family.
This tragedy will not be what defines us. We will move forward with the memory of Tara as our strength.”
A GoFundMe campaign set up for Zach and their children surpassed its $100,000 goal, reaching over $145,500 by Friday.
Watch below: Childhood friends of Canadian Tara Roe remember the Las Vegas shooting victim as a force that will be missed. Zahra Premji speaks to family friends about their memories.