Tanya Wiebe is being remembered as a dedicated mother whose smile lit up every room she walked into.
Mourners gathered at an Aylmer church on Monday for the funeral of the 38-year-old who was one of two people found dead inside a rural home near Sparta last week. Her sister Linda delivered a powerful eulogy describing Wiebe as the "ultimate firecracker" who was a constant presence at her son's hockey practices and games.
"[Her son] was her number one priority in life and she was dedicated to anything he wanted to pursue," said Linda.
She briefly addressed the tragic way her sister's life was cut short.
"Five days ago my sister was taken from us far too soon, in the most unthinkable way," Linda said.
OPP have not confirmed it, but it is believed Wiebe was the victim of a murder-suicide. Her body was found along with that of her boyfriend, 34-year-old Kyle Savage, at his Roberts Line home on January 31.
"We may feel angry, we may feel confused, but what happened to her is not Tanya's story. My sister was by far much more than this and I want us to all remember her for who she was," Linda said.
In Wiebe's honour and as a show of support for her young son, members of the Aylmer Flames hockey organization held a stick tap outside the funeral home following Saturday night's visitation. It took only five emails and posts to social media to draw the hundreds of past and present players and their families to the salute.
"Tanya had this smile that could light up every room that she walked into, she would never judge anyone and would give you her shirt off of her back if you needed it. She loved her son so much and supported him in everything he wanted to do. He’s played hockey for a good part of his life so far, and she was his number one fan, cheering loud and proud... That’s how she met and impacted so many lives," said Trista Curtis, co-organizer of the stick tap.
Curtis added that it was amazing to see the support from the community.
"[We] got an amazing turnout Saturday night to truly honor what a beautiful person Tanya was inside and out and to show [her son] the love from his hockey families and our small community."
Elgin OPP continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wiebe and Savage's deaths. They have stated the deaths are believed to be an "isolated incident."