Hallmark star Noel Johansen‘s wife, Jen Darbellay, was one of the 11 people killed in the tragic Lapu-Lapu festival in Vancouver. She was 50.
Johansen and Darbellay, who share son Ford, 15, and daughter Darby, 7, were in attendance for the Filipino heritage event, which celebrates historic figure Datu Lapu-Lapu, on Saturday, April 26. During the event, a man drove an SUV through the festival.
ABC News reported that 11 people were killed and 32 people, including Johansen’s daughter, were injured. (Johansen and Darbellay shared a son and a daughter.) Seven victims were in critical condition while three were in serious condition at hospitals Monday, a Vancouver police spokesperson told the outlet.
Days after the tragedy occurred, a vigil was held for the victims on Monday, April 29. Johansen — who appeared in Hallmark’s Reunited at Christmas, Marrying Mr. Darcy and more — attended the vigil while on crutches and gave an emotional speech to the crowd.
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“What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what’s inside my heart is broken,” Johansen said, according to Global News Canada. “Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident.”
Johansen shared that every hug he received that night reminded him of his late wife.
“She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself, she thought of herself as small in terms of the reach,” Johansen said of Darbellay. “And I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her. So don’t be small in life, be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have and please remember us who went through this.”
A GoFundMe was set up by family friend Michael Daingerfield Hall for Johansen and his family following Darbellay’s death.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable,” the website’s description read. “I know that his work will undoubtedly be affected and I would really like for him and his family to be supported during this time.”
The fundraiser is seeking donations to aid in the costs for airfare for immediate family, food, child care, counseling, funeral expenses and more.
“Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife,” the page continued. “She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgement, and had the sweetest voice.”
The page has received more than $168,000 CAD (about $121,000 USD) at the time of writing.
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