'They'll never really be gone as long as we remember them': Friend says of family who died in camper fire
Family and friends are struggling to come to terms with the unimaginable loss felt by everyone in the community after a couple and four children died in a camper fire on Sunday.
"They'll never really be gone -- as long as we remember them," said Tanya McManaman, whose daughter was a close friend of one of the children who died.
The memorial in the family's hometown continued to grow Tuesday as people stopped by to pay their respects to the young lives lost.
Michelle Robertson, 28, and her partner Robert Jorge (R.J.) Sears, 30, died with four children: Madison, 11; Robert Ryder, 8; Jaxson, 4; and Colin J. (C.J.), 3.
Among those paying their respects was Aaralyn McManaman, who was Madison's best friend.
"It felt like she was the one who was always going to be there for me. Which was true. She never left my side and she was such a good friend and I never had any other friend like that."
The family of six is being remembered as always being full of love and filled with laughter.
Michelle Robertson's aunt Nellie Lloy says her niece and RJ Sears were dedicated parents who loved all four children immensely.
"R.J. was a beautiful dad," said Lloy. "His whole purpose was to go to work and provide for that family. Michelle was a stay-at-home mom as long as she could, and every day it was about 'How do we make it better and how do we do better?'"
Lloy says the four children were known to bring joy everywhere they went.
Of 11-year-old Madison, Lloy said: "Maddy was involved with so many people at school and she involved herself in sports."
Of eight-year-old Ryder, she said: "There's a depth to that little boy's heart. I was just sitting thinking Sunday morning, I just wonder what his life is going to be because he's just so big and so kind-spirited."
Of four-year-old Jaxson Lloy said: "His nickname is Action Jaxson -- he's so animated."
And finally, three-year-old C.J. never missed a thing, Lloy said.
"He had everybody all figured out," she said.
As for the investigation into the fire, Lloy says she hasn't received much information, but was told that the family was found together.
"The two babies, that's what it looked like, they looked peaceful," Lloy said. "The two babies were in Michelle's arms and the two oldest close by with their dad."
Robertson's family says they're overwhelmed by the support pouring in from their community.
There are multiple community fundraisers started to help cover the cost of things such as funeral expenses, with one group raising more than $11,000 so far.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.