$1K donation made to Rosthern food bank in honour of murdered mother

By Nigel Maxwell

Describing her late daughter’s kind nature and heart of gold, Karen Daniels says a $1,000 donation to the food bank in Rosthern seemed like a fitting way to pay tribute to her.

The cheque presentation Friday morning at the Good Neighbours Food Centre came just over a year after 24-year-old Monique Gamble was murdered on the One Arrow First Nation. Daniels recalled times when the family travelled to the food bank for help.

“My daughter would say, ‘Mom, let me help you,’ so she pushed the cart to the vehicle and wouldn’t let me budge and then she ended up helping other people,” Daniels explained.

Monique passed away on Nov. 29, 2022. The death was reported at about 10:30 a.m., and Daniels was the one who found Gamble.

“I have nightmares. I can’t even sleep at night,” she said.

Harry Paul, the man at whose residence Gamble was found, was later charged with second-degree murder. Police have previously indicated the victim and the accused knew each and Daniels confirmed they had been involved in a common-law relationship. The couple also had a three-year-old son who is now in the care of his grandparents.

“He has a hard time sleeping,” Daniels noted, adding she has been unable to try and find the words to tell the young child why his mother has not come home.

As of last week, no pleas have been entered and Paul is scheduled to make his next court appearance in Wakaw on Feb. 13. Describing the court process as frustrating, Daniels claimed there was a history of domestic violence.

In addition to working at the community’s youth centre — a job Gamble was very passionate about — Daniels explained her daughter had also been attending school but had recently dropped out. When asked by her mother if Paul had anything to do with it, Gamble replied yes.

“I told her, ‘Be very careful and I’ll come check on you like I usually do.’ She goes. ‘OK, love you Mom,’ and then that was the last time (we spoke),” Daniels explained. “When it comes to my daughter, I just miss her and love her.”

Betty Rudachyk, the executive director of the Good Neighbours Food Centre in Rosthern, said this heartfelt donation to the community-based charitable organization holds great symbolism and meaning.

“I get tearful even saying this. (Daniels) is not a woman of tremendous financial means and yet she had this in her heart and her mind that she wanted to honour her daughter’s memory and her daughter’s kindness,” Rudachyk said.

Noting the food bank has an average of 60 users a week, Rudachyk said the donation will contribute in a big way to providing food for the community.

“A thousand dollars may not seem like a lot of money to people who have a lot of money, but a thousand dollars to the average family is a lot of money,” she said.

While acknowledging a focus on stocking the shelves, Rudachyk said there’s also a big focus this year on providing fresh produce. She also acknowledged tribute donations do help inspire others who are looking at concrete ways to help their community.

“People can say, ‘Wow, that’s what I want to do. You know, my mom passed away this year and she loved to feed people so this is something I would like to do in her name,’ ” Rudachyk said.

Daniels was accompanied on Friday by One Arrow First Nation’s former chief, Tricia Sutherland, and justice manager Crystal Sutherland.