Family mourns Wolastoqey woman who was victim of homicide in Oromocto First Nation

A Wolastoqeywoman who was the victim of a homicide Saturday is being remembered by family as a caring, intelligent person who displayed strength even in the face of immense grief.

Nieces, nephews and cousins sat around a sacred fire outside a home in Oromocto First Nation on Wednesday, passing around an eagle feather and taking turns talking about Sheri Lynn Sabattis, the impact she had ontheir lives,and the void her death has left in the community.

"My mother was a very caring person.She loved her family so much," said her daughter,Kyla Sabattis.

"My mom didn't deserve this at all, she really didn't ...We want justice."

On Saturday, barely more than a week after Sheri Lynncelebrated her 54th birthday, her body was found inside a home in Oromocto First Nation, about 24 kilometres east of Fredericton.

RCMPsayofficers responded to a call about thehomicide at 12:30 p.m. that dayand later arrested and charged 38-year-old Jared Smith with second-degree murder in connection withher death.

Aonce-grieving mother

Wednesday's gathering took place at the home of Sheri Lynn'sfather, which for years has been the "family pillar house," where countless Easterand Christmas parties have been held, said Dymond Sabattis, her niece.

It's also been the gathering place for the family during difficulttimes,especially following the death of Sheri Lynn's daughter, Jade Sabattis.

WATCH | 'She was loved She was loved so much':

So smart, so strong, so beautiful. Community mourns Sheri Lynn Sabbatis

30 days ago

Duration 2:50

Oromocto First Nation comes together to remember Sheri Lynn as a loving aunt, mother and beloved community member.

Jadedied in March 2017, and her family have maintained their belief she was the victim of foul play, though police say that wasn't the case.

"When my cousin Jadedied in 2017, it was a hard hit for the community, a hard hit for my family," said Dymond.

"My aunty Sheriher kids are her life. They're hereverything, and we had to be there for her, and we were there for her until, you know, she's gone today."

Kyla said after her sister Jade'sdeath, her mother was never the same.

"There's a big part of her that was lost after that," she said.

"I just hope they're together. They're happy."

Someone who showed resilience

Even in the face of her daughter's unexpected death, Sheri Lynn did her best to stay strong, said Allan Sabattis, her nephew.

He said for a while, she worked directly with the community's elders, who came to love her for the way she treated them.

Then, up until her death, she worked in the community's food bank, where she always madesure residents had food.

"She experiencedso much trauma and even with all of that, she was such a strong, powerful, happy person," Allan said.

"She went through hell andback, and she still got up every single day and inspired people."