Aimée's parents, Justin and Fiona Munroe, unveiled the new buddy bench in honour of their late daughter outside École St. Gérard on Friday, March 12 (Photo supplied by the Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools)

By EverythingGP Staff

Aimée Munroe Memorial Buddy Bench

Aimée Munroe Memorial Buddy Bench revealed at École St. Gérard

Mar 15, 2021 | 12:05 PM

A memorial bench in honour of a former École St. Gérard student was unveiled Friday afternoon outside the school.

The Aimée Munroe Memorial Buddy Bench was revealed by her parents Justin and Fiona Munroe.

Aimée was a student at the school who passed away in 2016 at the age of 14 while skiing at Marmot Basin.

“We are grateful for the time we were privileged to share with her,” said Principal Michel Lemay during Friday’s ceremony. “Even though she has left our midst, we know she will never leave our hearts, where her memory will endure as a blessing forever.”

Prior to her passing that year, Munroe and some of her Grade 8 friends were working to raise money to build a buddy bench at École St. Gérard, which is meant to serve as a central location for kids who are feeling lonely or do not have someone to play with to connect with other children to play and converse.

In honour of Munroe’s efforts and to honour her memory, former Vice-Principal Dena Boucher-Moon ordered a bench.

Over the last five years, though, the wooden bench had deteriorated due to the elements in Grande Prairie.

Learning of Munroe’s story, the maintenance team at the Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools and several local contractors came together to transform it into a metal bench to allow it to better withstand the elements well into the future.

The refurbished bench also features two plaques at its feet: the obituary in remembrance of Aimée Munroe, as well as an artwork created by Munroe.

Supplied by GPCSD

Supplied by GPCSD

The division thanks its maintenance team (Mark Coffin, Duncan Napier and Robert Helpard), CID Trenching, Militia Concrete, Economy Concrete, M&R Plumbing & Viking Solutions for their help in transforming the bench.