Melissa Brenda Joe, the woman killed by a fallen tree during this month鈥檚 severe windstorm, was remembered by friends and family as she was laid to rest on Christmas Eve.
She was 28.
Joe has been identified by multiple sources as the woman who died while inside a tent at a homeless camp, and we鈥檙e learning more about exactly why she was there in the first place.
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Cowichan Tribes chief William 鈥淐hip鈥� Seymour (Squtxulenuhw) said Joe was not homeless herself but had been checking up with family and friends at the encampment.
鈥淚t was something she did regularly,鈥� he said.
Seymour noted Joe had awoken early that morning to get her young daughter off to school before checking on the group just south of Duncan.
鈥淚鈥檓 so lost鈥�.. big time鈥� waiting for her to call,鈥� wrote her devastated sister, Christie Joe, on Facebook.
The BC Coroners Service is investigating. Two other men sustained injuries and one was airlifted to hospital for treatment.
Dec. 20 saw high winds cause widespread damage throughout the Cowichan Valley, knocking down trees and power lines. BC Hydro called it one of the worst storms they鈥檝e seen in years, with tens of thousands without power.
sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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