The Comox Valley community rallied behind a couple to bring something positive out of a tragic and sudden diagnosis.
Stephanie Vernon (Poulin) and Torian Poulin were engaged for some time before their wedding and ended up tying the knot in hospital during the bride’s final week of life.
Ali Nardo, a close friend of the couple who flew from Ontario to be by their side for the big day, said Stephanie went to the hospital after she and her fiancé were out celebrating her 40th birthday on June 14.
“She was quickly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that perforated her bowel and was given less time than anybody would expect with such shocking news, so the plan has always been for them to get married – they have been engaged for a while and with the unfortunate news, the family came together and said would you like to make this happen,” Nardo said.
While the couple calls Parksville home, Nardo said being from a different community did not stop the Comox Valley from rallying behind them and helping to fulfil their promise to each other.
A post on social media helped to build support to make the wedding happen, and she said many of the things needed, including the dress, cake and decorations, were donated.
“It was just phenomenal to see the turnout. She wasn’t expected to make it until the 20th and she was there, and she is still with us thankfully,” Nardo said on June 24.
“She is getting more time with her boys. She is getting more time with her husband. She is getting more time with her mommy and, unfortunately, the outcome isn’t going to be good, but every extra minute with her family is just what matters the most.”
While she was in the hospital, her friends organized a drive-by with vehicles honking and revving to show support. Sharing in Stephanie and Torian’s love and passion for cars.
“To see her smile like that, and her family smile and everybody, the boys loved it – her husband loved it, she was happy. It was just the most perfect thing,” she said.
“I have experienced tragedy personally, I have witnessed awful things comparable to this and I have never seen a community and loved one’s rally around a family like I have seen this.”
Stephanie passed away late Wednesday evening, June 25, with her husband by her side.
A GoFundMe is set up to help Stephanie’s sons financially, something Nardo said was Stephanie’s last wish.
“Stephanie’s memory will live on forever through all of the amazing people that have come into her life and will just carry on her memory every single day and make sure that those boys know that she lived for them,” Nardo said.
-With files from Hussam Elghussein
