A grieving young Coquitlam woman who wanted a legacy bench to keep the memory of her younger sister alive will now have a bench in her name as well after she died tragically in a car accident.
A fundraising campaign has been established on the website gofundme.com to buy the bench and contribute to other charities supported by Keziah, 20, and Shiloh Johnston, 22.
The two young women died within ten days of each other, Keziah earlier in February of undisclosed causes, and Shiloh on Feb. 17 from injuries she sustained when she was hit by a car while walking.
Now their friends, families and church communities are in mourning.
"Keziah was a wonderful young woman filled with passion and life, 10 days later her older sister Shiloh Johnston was tragically killed. Shiloh's gentle and kind spirit brought joy to everyone who knew her," the gofundme.com campaign states in its preamble.
According to the website, Shiloh was back at her second day of work after taking a week off to grieve her younger sisters' death and was walking during a lunch break when she was struck by a car that had collided with another vehicle.
Cari Andrews, a friend from Shiloh's drama ministry at Northside Foursquare, recalls Shiloh as a person who was full of life and drew people in. "You could tell [she] had Jesus in her," noted Andrews, who recalled her friend's perseverance and dedication.
"She was really sick during one of the plays we were in together. She would never complain to anyone. Our director would go and pick her up off the bathroom floor to see if she was okay to do the show and she would still say 'the show must go on!' With a smile on her face. Humble, selfless, always putting others before herself."
According to her Facebook, Shiloh had been planning a memorial service for her sister and the service set for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7 at Burnaby's Willingdon Church (4812 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby) will now also include a celebration of life for Shiloh.
Shiloh was also involved in Friendship Baptist Church in Coquitlam and had one time worked at 4Cats Studio on Austin Avenue.
Meanwhile, Burnaby RCMP are continuing to investigate the Feb. 17 accident that killed Shiloh.
A police statement issued Wednesday called for witnesses to the incident which occurred Tuesday, Feb. 17 shortly after 12:30 p.m. at Canada Way and Gardner Court. Drivers of two vehicles that were in the area at the time of the accidents - a red vehicle seen leaving the northwest parking lot of BCIT and heading eastbound onto Canada Way and a black pickup truck - are specifically noted as they may have been witnesses.
The accident occurred when a white Infiniti traveling eastbound on Canada Way collided with a grey Volkswagen which was turning eastbound (right) onto Canada Way from Carey Avenue. The Infinity went skidding along the centre median, across two lanes of traffic, hit a power pole located on the southwest corner of Canada Way at Gardner Court and struck Shiloh who was standing at that location.
Investigators are asking those drivers or anyone who has any information as to their identify to call Cpl. Jason Bayer from Burnaby RCMP Traffic Services at 604-294-7922. Speed may have been a factor, police say.
As of Thursday morning, more than $2,000 had been raised for the memorial bench for the two sisters and any additional funds over and above the bench costs will be put towards charities that the young women were passionate about. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/n7apfk
