Kelowna

There was a Celebration of Life held on Saturday in memory of Jennifer Cusworth.

Photo: Grant Scott

Over 40 people joined a healing circle in honour of Jennifer Cusworth on Saturday.

The 19 year-old Cusworth was killed in October of 1993 after attending a house party in Kelowna, but it took until 2009 before police would make an arrest in the case.

The Cusworth family never rested until her killer was found, but the pain still lingers.

On Saturday, over 40 people gathered at the Learning Centre at Okanagan College on KLO Road to remember and continue the healing process.

Both friends and relatives of the Cusworths were in attendance along with members of the RCMP who worked on the case for so many years and members of the legal team who worked for the family during the trial.

Those in attendance were seated in a circle and the event began with a native Smudging Ceremony.

As a talking stick was passed around, each person had the opportunity to recall their memories of Jennifer.

Her parents, Terry and Jean, recalled many childhood moments which brought both laughter and tears to those in attendance.

Others fought to control their emotions as they fondly remembered their sister and friend.

In the end, red carnations were passed out to everyone to thank them for attending and to continue to keep Jennifer’s memory alive, a custom the Cusworths have followed thoughout this ordeal.