‘She was a light’: Family, friends and loved ones gather at vigil to remember teen who passed

HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. — Against the backdrop of the dark night sky at Beattie Park in Hudson’s Hope on Tuesday evening was a gazebo.

Decorated with Christmas lights, inside the structure were guest books, candles and ribbons, all to remember young Lexi Waldie Siemens, described by her mother Elisha Waldie as a “bright light.”

Lexi took her own life during the 2025-2026 Christmas holiday, one of two youths to die in the same period. A vigil and solidarity walk was being held on January 13th.

While she fought back tears, Elisha told those in attendance of her appreciation to raise awareness of the tragedy and youth-related suicide.

“Lexi touched so many people’s hearts,” said Waldie. “She was light. She was everyone’s light. Anyone that had met her one time, that was it. That’s all it took for her to have you on her finger.

“The whole idea is to honour my baby with dignity and pride and to gather everybody here just in awareness that voices will no longer be silenced, that she has been heard and that we love her.”

Elisha then led those who wished to participate in a solidarity walk down Beattie Drive, turning at Hudson’s Hope Elementary-Secondary School and through residential areas and ultimately, back to the park.

The crowd was a mixture of friends, family, classmates and supporters. Bob Sinclair and his wife Ivy, family friends, made the trip from Prince George to stand with Elisha.

Sinclair described the situation as “devastating.”

Barb Frocklage is a family friend, and told Energeticcity.ca she has known Elisha for around four decades from her days living in Chetwynd.

She said Elisha’s daughter liked the water. 

“She lived at the pool in the summertime,” said Frocklage. “Her and my granddaughter had many splash days.”

Naden Bitterman is Elisha’s former husband and stepfather to Lexi. He said she was “outgoing” and said he never believed “she could do something like this.”

“She was a charismatic girl who had everything going for her,” said Bitterman. “I never saw signs of what was portrayed.”

The vigil on Tuesday, January 13th was one of two planned for Lexi. Another vigil has been postponed, according to an announcement on social media.

For those struggling with their mental health, Northern Health recently announced several options available on its Fort St. John Facebook page, including accessing 310 Mental Health Support at 310-6789 or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 988.