Brenda Martin-Hurlburt (left) holds a picture of Jocelyn Stewart and her dog, Amani, while Jocelyn’s parents, Sharon and Peter Stewart, look on in Yarmouth following the official launch of the Jocelyn Stewart Foundation.
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Jocelyn Stewart's parents remember their daughter by helping others who struggle with suicidal thoughts
YARMOUTH, N.S. —
A year after losing their daughter Jocelyn, Yarmouth County residents Peter and Sharon Stewart hope a local initiative will give people struggling with suicidal ideation the help they need.
The idea is to establish a residential support home in the Yarmouth area where people can feel safe, gain understanding of their situation, develop coping skills and basically get support in rebuilding their life.
“If we help one, it’s all worth it,” said Peter, “but we’re aiming for a lot more than one.”
The proposal came from Brenda Martin-Hurlburt, who had met Sharon Stewart through the latter’s employment. After hearing of Jocelyn’s death, Martin-Hurlburt approached Sharon, asking if they could meet.
“I wanted to do something to help this family heal and I also wanted to do something to help other people heal,” Martin-Hurlburt said. “That was my motivation and they were very much on board with it.”
On Friday, Aug. 23, the one-year anniversary of Jocelyn’s death, an official launch was held for the Jocelyn Stewart Foundation.
