'She had a huge heart': Loved ones remember woman who died after tent fire one year ago
She died living rough on the streets, but Olivia Clark's family said that image doesn't define her.
Family members took part in a memorial marking the one-year anniversary of Olivia's passing on Monday morning.
It was a solemn gathering, but it was also a chance to celebrate Olivia.
"Olivia was an amazing, vivacious, stubborn, feisty girl,” her mother, Stephanie Clark, told CTV News London in an interview on Monday. “She had a huge heart."
Olivia, along with others, were huddled under tarps in front of the Ark Aid Street Mission on Dundas Street in the early morning hours on April 5, 2024 when a fire broke out under one of the tarps and Olivia was severely burned.
She died 10 days later with her family removing her from life-support systems one day before her 32nd birthday.
Stephanie said her daughter’s passing highlights shortcomings in social supports.
A woman succumbed to burn injuries after a fire broke out in front of the Ark Aid Street Mission on Dundas Street in London, Ont. on April 5, 2023. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
"The way the mental health system has deteriorated, it's making it more difficult for families like my own. We could not get Olivia diagnosed before she turned 18. Once she was diagnosed, she was an adult and we couldn't force her to do anything,” she explained.
Stephanie continued, “Unfortunately, her mental illness also led to addiction. That compounded it. We could not drive her to go get help. She did try. There were times when she was ready she would go into rehab and we hoped for the best. Unfortunately, this demon for her was too strong."
Olivia's family said she was an advocate for others on the street, directing them to resources and lobbying to get them access to the supports then needed.
“That’s why we came forward, and that’s why we named her and let people see who she was,” said Stephanie. “Because she wouldn’t want to be a nameless statistic. She wouldn’t want her community to be ignored.”
Olivia Clark of London, Ont. is seen in this undated image. (Source: Facebook) The Clark family, and agencies that support others who are struggling on the streets, want Olivia’s story to serve as a call to action.
Ark Aid Executive Director Sarah Campbell told those gathered for the memorial, "What just seems an impossible reality: hundreds of people are living and dying on the streets of London."
"21st century in Canada, here in the City of London, we have great wealth. We have some of the smartest minds in the whole nation, yet we can't seem to figure out how to support those who have no way to support themselves,” added Michael Bechard, a pastor for the street mission.
Also in attendance for the memorial was man identified only as Glenn. He was one of the people under the tarps, not far from Olivia, on the night she was fatally injured.
Tears welled up as he looked at the tribute to Olivia.
Olivia Clark's family and other supporters gathered at the Ark Aid Street Mission in London, Ont. on April 15, 2024 to remember Olivia and call for action to help other people at risk. It was this location where she died one year ago. "She used to make me laugh," he said.
Passing him a tissue, Olivia's grandmother told him, "She used to make you laugh? She made us laugh too,” before she praised him for his efforts to improve his life.
The Clark family is also hoping to speak with the first responders who came to Olivia's aid on the night of the fire.
"Their efforts were...I mean, the time that we did get with her was thanks to them, and we can't thank them enough,” said Sean Clark, Olivia’s father. “All the work that doctors and nurses and care staff at Sunnybrook [Health Sciences Centre-Toronto], London Health Sciences [Centre] did. Everybody."
Olivia died two weeks after city’s winter response funding ended last spring. Prior to that she was spending nights in shelter beds funded by the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.