Funeral underway for Harrow, Ont., mother and 2 children found dead in their home
Dozens of people are at the funeral in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday for a mother and her two children who were among family members found dead at their home in nearby Harrow last month.
The service for Carly Walsh (Stannard), 41, Madison, 13, and Hunter, 8, at FamiliesFirst Funeral Home and Tribute Centre follows visitations on Monday.
Some people were embracing each other after arriving for the funeral service.
Windsor police in unmarked vehicles are escorting the procession.
Carly’s husband and the children’s father, Steve, was also found dead in the home but was not included in the Tuesday funeral arrangements.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) discovered four people dead after being called to check on the well-being of a person at the home at 1200 County Road 13 near Harrow.
There have been no arrests and police have said there’s no threat to the public.
No further information about the incident has been released by the OPP.
Family honoured by Harrow community
The deaths have spurred outpourings of grief and tributes over the past week and a half.
An obituary for Carly and her children says Madison and Hunter meant “everything” to their mother.
“Becoming a mother was the greatest joy of Carly’s life,” it says. “There was nothing she would not do for them.
“We hold onto the warmth they brought into their community. We remember them not for the heartbreak of their passing, but for the countless ways they enriched our lives with their beautiful souls.”
The obituary notes Carly’s education at Holy Names Catholic High School and St. Clair College, as well as her employment history through Caesars Windsor, Tupperware and Paglione Estate Winery.
“Carly was known for her strong work ethic, often working six days a week.”
She also cultivated a love for the outdoors in her children, along with instilling a habit of “being kind and caring to everyone they met.”
Madison is described as “a budding entrepreneur” who was already starting to work at a nail salon and at the Camoes Portuguese Club of Harrow. The sight of “Madi” ice skating were some of Carly’s “favourite moments,” the obituary says.
Hunter is described as “a busy little guy with a huge smile” whose interests included playing outside, his toy car collection, and a dirt bike made for him by one of his grandfathers.
The Walshes leave behind many close relations and extended family members, as well as their two family dogs.
The family also had “a huge group of friends,” including a “bestie group” for Madison and several “special buddies” for Hunter.
