Community grieves as one at vigil for Calgary double homicide victims

They braved the cold to pay tribute to a Calgary mother of three and her father, killed just days after Christmas.

Loved ones say they were victims of domestic violence.

On Friday night, dozens held vigil for Ania Kaminski, 33, and her father, Stanislaw Wardzala.

The vigil was held in Tuscany, outside Ania's home, where she was found dead on Dec. 29.

That same night, investigators discovered the body of her father in a home in Kincora.

Ania was also a beloved schoolteacher and a devoted mother, described as a bright light in the community.

Her father was also remembered for being an incredible family man who wanted to give his family a promising future in Canada.

Vigil co-organizer, friend and neighbour Sarah Gustafsson said there was an outpouring of support from a community wanting to do more.

And she did, too.

"We need to celebrate her. She should be honoured—she was a beautiful woman who gave to so many different communities," she said.

"(To) her Polish community, her church, she was a teacher, she was active here in Tuscany."

They braved the cold to pay tribute to a Calgary mother of three and her father, killed just days after Christmas.

The vigil carried the added purpose of taking a stand against domestic violence.

Fellow co-organizer and neighbour Monique Shaw said the community is unified in its sadness but also in its wish to see change.

"I think (this has) impacted so many Calgarians, as well as Canadians as a whole, because we can all see our mothers, our daughters, our sisters, our friends, our wider family when we see things happen in our community such as this," she said.

"We grieve collectively because we want to see things improve."

"I want people to remember that if you need help, there is help. ... Please, reach out for help," Gustafsson said.

Shaw mentioned HomeFront as a service she knows well and has done work with, but noted there are others.

Gustafsson suggested the Family Violence Info Line, available by calling or texting 310-1818.

Police believe Ania's husband, 38-year-old Benedict Kaminski, was responsible for both deaths.

He was found deceased near his car in the Water Valley area.

A GoFundMe campaign to support Ania's family and children has raised nearly $300,000.