Murdered Sarnia woman had ‘a heart of gold’
Posted January 7, 2013 9:13 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Sarnia woman who disappeared after a New Year’s Eve party and was found dead two days later was remembered Monday at a visitation as a teacher with “a heart of gold.”
“She was so caring, so generous — a heart of gold,” said family friend Michelle Janess. “There was nothing cruel, not a mean bone in her body.”
Noelle Paquette, 27, went missing after a New Year’s Eve party and was found dead in a woodlot near Sarnia on Jan. 2.
Another friend Matthew Chong described Paquette as “a very kind loving girl.”
Frank Leddy, the superintendent of education at St. Clair Catholic District School Board, said, “The kids loved her and responded well to her, and from all reports, she really cared about the kids.”
Paquette’s family have started a charity in her name called Noelle’s Gift to help support students in the Sarnia area.
A vigil was also held Monday for Paquette.
The same community that helped to organize a search party was behind the vigil, including Cat Cabajar, Becky Drury and the group Community 4 Life.
The vigil, which began at 5:30 p.m., was held at a courtyard near Christina and Lochiel streets. Organizers asked those attending to bring a candle and to change their Facebook profile photo to a candle on Monday and Tuesday.
Hundreds of people attended the vigil, including friends and family members.
“Noelle’s the kind of person who can walk into a dark room and she would light up that room with her smile and her spirit,” her aunt Laura told the crowd.
Mourners then marched down Christina, lining the street and ended the ceremony with a moment of silence.
Click here for more information on the vigil. Paquette’s funeral will be held Tuesday morning in Sarnia.
Police say the elementary school teacher was murdered and arrested two people in London on Thursday. Tanya Bogdanovich, 31, and Michael MacGregor, 19, were each charged with first-degree murder.
Bogdanovich and MacGregor will next appear in court on Thursday.
The OPP has set up a dedicated tip line for the investigation. Anyone with information can call 1-855-835-5677.
