Memorial tree lighting draws crowd in honour of Cindy McCooey-Little

Around 200 people gathered at Queens Circle Saturday evening as the memorial tree for long-time community member Cindy “Sophiee” McCooey-Little glowed brighter than ever.

Advancing Crystal Beach organizes the annual lighting ceremony, which included a choir, food donations, and a visit from Last Chance Horse and Pony Rescue for this year’s event.

A new feature this year was the debut of the first Advancing Crystal Beach Christmas choir, which performed several carols before the lighting.

Friends, family and community members, including Mayor Wayne Redekop, were in attendance.

“She knew her time was coming close, and her last thing on the bucket list was Key West,” said Butch McCooey, Cindy’s brother. “She went down against every doctor’s orders and made it safely there and back, and she passed one month later.”

The year after she died, Butch said he went to the Cuban resort that Cindy visited two or three times each year for more than 15 years, to scatter some of her ashes. Resort staff who knew her well posted notices in Spanish and English and helped draw about 75 people to a memorial at the resort, where guests and workers placed flowers and a guitarist played.

A donation bin near the Queens Circle gazebo collected non-perishables for Crystal Ridge Community Church. Volunteers served hot chocolate beside the walkway while families lined up to visit the rescue group’s horses and a small pony.

Lights wrapped the tree from base to top after work earlier this fall to reach the upper branches, which had not been lit in past years as the spruce continued to grow.

Ward 5 Councillor Tom Lewis said the event began when the little 6-foot-tall blue spruce was planted for Cindy. He said it now offers space for anyone reflecting on loss during the holidays.

“Tonight is an exceptional night with turnout probably largely due to the nice weather,” said Lewis.

Owen Riel, board member of Advancing Crystal Beach, told Fort Erie Radio that hosting the event fits with the group’s goal to keep Crystal Beach neighbours connected.

“Christmas is a special time, and people do not get together enough in community anymore,” said Riel.

The tree will stay lit through the holidays, and residents can still drop off donations at Crystal Ridge Community Church in the weeks ahead.

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