A community in mourning

Remembering Véronique Plourde (July 24, 1992–Sept 4, 2026)

Lily Ryan 

In the first minutes after midnight last Friday, a beloved restaurant owner and bartender from Aylmer tragically lost her life in a car accident, after her vehicle collided head-on with another. Both drivers died at the scene. A passenger, also a well-known bar manager, remains in an induced coma at the Hull Hospital. The last 48 hours have proven difficult in the newsroom.

I have known Véronique Plourde, “Ronnie”, for about 16 years. Despite being a little over a decade older than her, we shared the experience of being women running a small business here in Old Aylmer. Throughout those years, Véronique never once failed to make me feel seen. I would be handed my favourite order under the warm glow of the Aubergiste's wooden bar table lights without even having to ask for it. What made her special was the way she sparkled and genuinely wanted to know how things were going.

However, losing Véronique was just the beginning. Her friend and passenger survived – perhaps unmercifully – and is fighting for her life. The family and friends of the other driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, are also grieving at this time.

Professional support may be needed to help people in Aylmer cope with their grief. Anyone in need of confidential mental health support during this difficult time can dial 811 and select option 2. A nurse will then direct them towards the appropriate resources.

From all of us at the Aylmer Bulletin to our wider Aylmer family, please know that we are here to support you over the coming days. Sadly, but perhaps with a hint of optimism, our archives contain many accounts of tragic losses of life such as this one.

Véronique Plourde will live on for many reasons, but I am stepping forward to ensure that her memory is preserved in the archives of her local newspaper. She graced so many pages in such a short span of time. She was taken too soon, but her bright light will forever shine in the hearts of those who knew her. Rest in peace, dear Ronnie.