SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
"This is only a fraction of the people who she affected," said nurse Bovina Beaudoin, referring to the 100 friends and family who showed up for the commemoration of the Terri Butz Memorial Garden of Hope at the Stanton Territorial Hospital on Sunday.
Terri Butz: Died last April from complications related to diabetes. |
It was an emotional afternoon and a fitting tribute to a woman many say touched the hearts of everyone who knew her. The Yellowknife resident died from complications related to diabetes on April 22 of last year at age 29.
Parents Tim and Paula Friesen and her siblings Maggie, Allie and Ruth drove up from Grande Prairie, Alta., where they now live for the official commemoration of the garden on the first anniversary of Butz's death.
"Terri made life so much fun. Our home was always filled with so much laughter," said Paula. "She taught all of us that it is possible to smile through our tears."
The commemoration ended with everyone joining hands in prayer, before releasing bunches of red balloons into the air. Later on, everyone shared anecdotes and stories with a mixture of laughter and tears.
Butz loved to sing and "danced like no one was watching." Her colourful personality was matched only by her eccentric fashion sense, said family members.
"All colours and patterns go," joked Paula.
"She had the biggest heart ever," said Beaudoin, who got to know Butz after she began working at the hospital in 2003 where Butz was seeking treatment for her diabetes.
"She found joy in little things where the rest of us would be complaining. She was so used to being ill, that the little things were big things for her."
Life was not always easy for Butz. She was born in Iqaluit on Jan. 11, 1983, and moved to Yellowknife with her family when she was three years old. Her biological father Terrence Butz died in a canoeing accident when she was five. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11.
"Along with that Terri had the challenge of not being able to read or write, and was often the target of bullies," said Paula, of the learning disability Butz endured growing up.
But no matter how much adversity she faced, Butz could never be put down.
"Even when she was in the hospital with her blood sugar levels going through the roof, she managed to put a smile on her face," said Paula.
A fund was set up with the Stanton Territorial Hospital foundation when Butz died. As the fund grew bigger, the Friesens approached the hospital with an idea.
"They said they were interested in beautifying the entrance to the emergency room because Terri spent a lot of time there," said Rebecca Alty, executive director of the foundation.
"Before it was just an island of gravel so it wasn't very nice. Now it's a nice landscape and there are some flowers, and then there is rock with a memorial plaque for her."
There are also plans to put in a bench over the summer, so patients can have somewhere to sit while they wait.
For the staff at the hospital, who came to view Butz as part of their family, nothing could have been more appropriate. Emergency room doctor David Pontin, who spent countless hours by Terri's side, said, "She was one of the bright lights when I was here, and I miss her."
He said he loves the garden because hem "Can't walk out of here and not be reminded of her."
Beaudoin agreed that the garden is a welcome addition to the hospital and a fitting tribute to Butz's memory.
"She greets me in the morning and I say goodbye to her every evening."
