A memorial fund for Stephanie Blais has more than quadrupled the initial goal of the GoFundME page. (submitted photo/Blais Family)

By Josh Ryan

Support following tragedy

Outpouring of support for family of Stephanie Blais

Aug 26, 2020 | 5:36 PM

Following a week of tragedy, there’s an outflowing of support for the family of Stephanie Blais, the victim of a recent bear attack in Buffalo Narrows.

A GoFundMe page, set up in support of her husband and children, had a goal of raising $15,000 to support the family as they grieve. After just a few days, the donation total is at nearly $70,000, as of August 26.

Speaking on behalf of the Blais family, Hubert Esquirol, Stephanie’s father, said they were surprised by how quickly the goal was met and how far it has been surpassed.

“The family is overwhelmed and really thankful,” Esquirol said. “We’re just still catching our breath.”

Started by Jane Rusbridge, the GoFundMe donations are intended to support emergency flights and additional family costs Curtis Blais will incur by staying home with the children.

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Any costs above the original goal will go to a college fund for the children. Esquirol said the support is huge for the family, “allowing Curtis to plan and focus on the children, without worrying where the next dollar will come from.”

“This provides an element of comfort and insurance that the next 30 to 90 days will be bearable and his children will the best under the circumstances they’ve been given,” he said.

Blais, 44, succumbed to her injuries after she was attacked by a black bear, while out at the family cabin by McKie Lake.

While surprised by the amount of outpouring from the public, Esquirol said he’s not surprised that his daughter’s memory provoked a strong positive reaction from people, speaking very highly of her character.

“She prided herself in always planting the seeds of love and compassion, so I think it’s the public’s way of paying her back,” he said. “Sometimes what goes around comes around. The public reacted to who she was and I have to accept it.”

According to Esquirol, Blais wasn’t necessarily religious, but a very spiritual person.

“Every move, every action and every day had to encompass some element of spirituality,” he said.

Esquirol added he and the rest of the family are grateful for the community support both in the dollars donated and the well wishes and condolences. For them, there’s still much to take in, he said.

“The outpouring of grief and kind words and thoughts has been pretty dramatic and we’re still trying to process that each day,” he said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports