In Memory of Lucie Erik Lili, Support Their Son in Cda & USA

On May 20th, 2024, many of us tragically lost someone very dear to us. The day started like many others – filled with the sun and joy of a long-weekend well enjoyed. Erik, Lucie and their two young children were heading home from visiting friends in Montreal when their lives were irreversibly changed.

The young family was struck by an oncoming vehicle on their journey home. This claimed the lives of Erik, Lucie and 6-year-old Lilli.

Their 9-year-old son is the only one who survived the horrific collision and is recovering.

The community is left in shock as such a tragedy seems unfathomable and cruel. This is an unimaginable loss to all of us who knew them. We are keenly aware of the toll that this experience has and will continue to have on their young son. But we also know that in any situation, Lucie and Erik would be the first to lend a helping hand. Let’s embody their spirit of generosity, friendship and strength of character to help their son and both families carry the burden.

We welcome donations to help their son through the difficult healing ahead and to offset travel costs for the families, who come from the U.S. West coast and the European Union. We also hope to set up a fund to honour Lucie, an extraordinary educator who, five years ago, co-founded a Czech language heritage school. The school blossomed -- partly thanks to Lucie and Erik's dedication -- to reach children, parents, and community groups all over North America and beyond.

On behalf of the Czech School of Ottawa and Czechoslovak Association of Canada, we thank you for your prayers, kind words and support. If you are able to contribute, we would greatly appreciate it.