Curling community gathers to remember Aly Jenkins at Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Canada’s curling community gathered at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw on Sunday with heavy hearts to honour and remember Aly Jenkins.

Shortly before Sunday’s afternoon draw on the second day of the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Jenkins’ husband Scott and his three children — Brady, Avery and Sydney — were joined by Jenkins’ former teammates on the ice for a moment of silence before handing the children honourary Team Saskatchewan jerseys.

Jenkins, the former lead for Sherry Anderson’s rink, was 30 years old when she died of a rare amniotic fluid embolism while giving birth to her third child last year.

“Just tough,” Anderson said as she choked back tears after the emotional tribute. “People get behind people, especially in Saskatchewan and especially because of the very tragic way that it happened.

“I don’t imagine it would make any difference whether we were curlers, or hockey players or volleyball players — it would have been the same.”

As the moment of silence began, all Team Anderson third Nancy Martin could think of was how Jenkins would regularly share photos of her children. The tremendous support from far and wide meant a lot to Martin.

“We’re all teammates at the end of the day,” Martin said. “We switch teams around a lot … so we all end up being teammates and I think that’s what connects us. There’s a lot of moms out there, a lot of moms to be — they feel for how tragic this is.

“It could have been anyone, right? I think that’s what makes it so real for everyone.”

Anderson hopes that connection with curling will help Jenkins’ young children to grow up remembering their mom as a proud and caring parent.

“Right now, they’re pretty young. Certainly there will be reminders about Aly in the curling community for sure,” Anderson said.

Meaghan Frerichs is the second on Anderson’s rink. She knew for weeks that she would be on the ice for Sunday’s tribute, but it still didn’t stop her from being overcome with emotions.

“It’s still tough. We’re coping as best as we can, and it’s nice to be around Scott and the kids,” Martin said.

Rachel Homan, the skip of Team Ontario and three-time Scotties winner, stood with the near-capacity crowd to remember a friend she never had the chance to meet.

For Homan, who gave birth to her first child last summer, news of Jenkins’ death hit close to home.

“I know that it was her goal to be here, and I know she would have been,” Homan said. “She’s on our brooms this week and she’s in our hearts when we’re out there.”

Homan has created new relationships since Jenkins’ death, reaching out to Aly’s husband Scott in the days following her passing. After weeks of calls and texts back and forth, Homan and her youngest child Ryatt were finally able to meet Scott and new baby Sydney.

“If I was in that situation, I would want as much support as possible. I can’t imagine trying to get through something like that, so reaching out and trying to do everything we can to support the family is important as curlers,” Homan said.

All the members of Homan’s rink are further honouring Jenkins with a sticker that reads “In loving memory of Aly” printed on a maple leaf with sheaths of wheat surrounding the words.

– With files from 650 CKOM’s Britton Gray