KILDARE CAPES
The 60-year-old Alberton woman who was killed Monday in a motor vehicle-bicycle collision in Kildare Capes was a long-time member of the teaching staff at École Pierre-Chiasson in Deblois.
School principal Ghislain Bernard said Marjolaine Ward had been the school’s French Language Arts teacher since 2006, working primarily with students at the intermediate and senior high levels.
“She will be very much missed by students and staff as she was a teacher who always held her students’ success very close to heart,” he said. “She always put them first and went the extra mile to help them achieve their goals.”
In a social media post, the school indicates Madame Ward was from Miscou Island in New Brunswick. “Her presence will be missed,” the school posted. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mme Marjolaine’s family, her students and colleagues as well as those who knew her.” He said the school has heard from several graduates since word of their teacher’s passing spread.
The school had grief counsellors on site Wednesday and will be having them there again on Thursday to meet with any students and staff who need to talk and to grieve and to share. Bernard said counsellors will also be available on the first day of classes next week.
The collision occurred around Route 12 in Kildare Capes shortly before 7 p.m. Monday. Residents of the community where the collision occurred heard the crash and rushed to the victim’s aid. She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital.
The driver of the vehicle that struck her left the scene, but police arrested a 31-year-old male resident of Kildare Capes several hours later. Staff Sergeant Derrick Hewitt said the individual was released from custody Tuesday evening. He said charges have not been finalized as the investigation into the collision is still ongoing.
