With 'devastated hearts' family announces celebration of life plans for Chelsea Cardno
The family of a Kelowna, B.C., woman who died tragically last month has announced plans for a celebration of her life.
Chelsea Cardno, 31, went missing on June 14. She was last seen that morning leaving home to walk her dog, a German shepherd named JJ near Mission Creek. Later that day, flood warnings were issued for the area.
An extensive search was launched, involving police, search and rescue crews and concerned community members. However, Cardno was not located and neither was her dog.
On June 24, the Kelowna RCMP announced a body had been found on a farm downstream from where Cardno was believed to have been swept away by fast-moving water. The family confirmed her passing soon after.
An obituary paints a picture of the young woman being mourned with "devastated hearts" by those who knew and loved her.
"She was a loving daughter, sister, niece, aunty, cousin, and a fierce friend to those she held close," the online tribute reads.
"Chelsea was a bright light with a huge smile and a laugh that was so contagious you couldn’t help being drawn to her."
In her younger years, her family says she was an accomplished competitive figure skater. More recently, she completed training to become a rehabilitation assistant, having finished the practicum requirement earlier this year.
"Chelsea was very proud of this moment as it was something she had wanted to do for a very long time," the obituary reads.
In a Facebook post in a group that was established to coordinate search efforts, Cardno's family thanks everyone who has reached out to support them and those who helped with their efforts to find her. It also says the memorial celebration is open to "all who wish to attend – whether you knew Chelsea, were touched by her story, (or) have followed and supported our family during this time."
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to bring an item to donate to Paws it Forward, a local dog rescue in honour of JJ. The obituary describes Cardno's relationship with her cherished pet.
"Her beloved dog JJ was everything to her and was the first dog that belonged just to her. The day they went missing they were doing what they loved, out together walking, playing fetch, and enjoying each other’s company, and even in the rain, it was something that they always did," it reads.
"We are hoping they are together watching over all of us."
The service will take place on July 12 at 4 p.m. at Springfield Funeral Home in Kelowna.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.