Elderly woman allegedly slain by teen mourned in Pickering neighbourhood
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A man who identified himself as a relative of a slain Pickering woman was busy Monday morning rearranging bouquets of condolence flowers to ensure they didn’t wilt in the sunshine.
The man carefully moved some of the seven gardening buckets, full of flowers, under a large tree off the sidewalk into the shade.
He took a break from the tasks to welcome three women who showed up to the home on Lynn Heights Dr., in the Whites Rd.-Finch Ave. area, carrying what looked to be tinfoil covered plates of food and pies.
The conviviality marked a stark contrast to the violence last that claimed the life of Eleanor Doney, who was in her 80s — last Thursday.
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Police said officers received a call about a “sadistic and cowardly” attack by an alleged masked killer who dressed head-to-toe in a black clothing, including a trench coat. A passerby came across the gravely injured stabbing victim who would later die in a Toronto hospital.
Police have charged a 14-year-old boy, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, with first-degree murder.
After the visiting women left the home on Monday, the man emerged and said he would speak on behalf of the family.
He unfolded a piece of lined paper and read in a soft voice: “Any statement from the family will be released by the police.” The relative nodded and went about his business.
Brian, who lives across the street, called his elderly neighbours “the originals” — meaning they moved into the development when it was new 32 years ago.
“It’s a horrific incident and it’s quite devastating for us. She has been there. She is one of the original owners,” said Brian. “Some 30 years (ago). She moved in and we moved in later in the year.”
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Brian described his neighbour as “a lovely lady” who was “taking care of her family and dealing with a spouse who was disabled.”
“She was dedicated to him. She would push him in a wheelchair,” said Brian.
A delivery man, who has a regular route in the area, showed up and dropped off some flowers into one of the buckets.
He said he has gotten to know clients in the area and on previous occasions, had seen the 14-year-old now facing charges. The accused murderer is scheduled to appear in court on June 20.
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