Celebrating Charlotte Gervais

After combating and defeating numerous hurdles, Charlotte succumbed to her demons Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at the far too young age of 22.

After diagnosis, Charlotte became a strong voice for Mental Health and the need for mental illness to be recognized as a serious disease. She made speeches and appeared in Public Service Videos, sharing her struggles in the hopes it would help and encourage others to come forward to seek help. Charlotte always participated in Bell Let’s Talk Day and shared her successes on that special day. Charlotte was not the face of Mental Health; she was so much more than that.

Charlotte was an extremely accomplished, high functioning woman. Excelling academically, She achieved the Dean’s List and was awarded her Bachelor of Arts Diploma from St. Thomas University on July 5, 2019. In the future, she aimed to earn a PhD.

Charlotte loved the arts - musical, literary and visual. An avid fan of music festivals, particularly Osheaga, Charlotte saw and met many bands. Her love of poetry led to an extensive literary library, and as the words flowed into her they also flowed out with a remarkable gift for artistic expression. Charlotte enjoyed the art of Alberto Giacometti, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso, to name a few. In 2018, Charlotte attended a special Giacometti exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City with her Mother, one of many highlights of their regular Mother/Daughter trips to New York City.

Charlotte also loved animals, in particular dogs. She lovingly parented two of her own along with her childhood family pets. She loved to help others. While a student, Charlotte worked with the Fredericton SPCA, Persons with Special Needs, Saunders Farm during Haunting Season and she was also a Community Fundraiser for various charities. She was everyone’s confidante, always there for family and friends, as well as strangers. Kindness was her motto.

Charlotte was passionate about life. She once wrote she wouldn't change the fact that everything she felt she felt to the extreme because she considered it a gift. She didn’t just like, she loved. She didn’t just see someone smile, she felt it. She didn’t just experience happiness, she beamed it. She felt good emotions with every single fibre of her being.

In honour of her 23rd birthday on April 4th, Louise, Charles and Gabriel are celebrating Charlotte by establishing a Fundraising Event with all donations going to CHEO’s Mental Health Unit. We invite anyone who had the good fortune of having Charlotte touch their lives to join us in supporting Charlotte’s legacy. No donation is too small and it all goes towards the fight to help children struggling like Charlotte did. Truly, every single donation counts, particularly during these uncertain times. You can donate online by clicking the above Support Me button; by telephone (613-737-2780) using a credit card and asking that your donation be directed to CHEO‘s Mental Health Unit, Celebrating Charlotte Gervais Campaign; or, you can also donate by mailing a cheque to the CHEO Foundation 415 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1 and making a note that it be directed to CHEO‘s Mental Health Unit, Celebrating Charlotte Gervais Campaign.

We all are blessed to have Charlotte in our lives, thoughts and memories.