Hallmark Actor's Wife Killed in Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Tragedy
On April 26, a man drove an SUV through the Lapu-Lapu Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Eleven people were killed and dozens more were injured. According to ABC News, the victims were nine females and two males, ranging in age from 5 years old to 65.
Among those killed was Jen Darbellay, 50, a painter who is married to actor Noel Johansen. Johansen has appeared on, Psych, Supernatural, Fargo, The Good Doctor, and several Hallmark Channel shows or movies, including Garage Sale Mystery: All That Glitters, When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, Harvest Love, Reunited at Christmas and Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery. Johansen has also done extensive voiceover work for animated shows.
Darbellay and Johansen share two children: son Ford, 15, and daughter Darby, 7. Both Johansen and Darby were also injured in the Lapu-Lapu tragedy.
At a vigil for the victims, Global News Canada reports that Johansen addressed the crowd while on crutches, choking back tears as he said, "What you see here is an injury that means nothing to me because what's inside my heart is broken. Because my wife passed away behind me at the incident.
He continued, "She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself; she thought of herself as small in terms of the reach. And I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her. So don't be small in life, be big, reach out and reach out as a human being with everything you have, and please remember us who went through this.'
'Jen and Noel, they're just the sweetest, kindest people I know,' family friend Michael Daingerfield Halltold the Vancouver Sun. 'Just another level of kindness."
According to the Vancouver Sun, Darbellay had a Master's Degree in fine arts in theatre design from the University of British Columbia, and at the time of her death, she was in the process of organizing face-painting lessons for the children at Darby's elementary school for their end-of-the-year party.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Hall to help support the family moving forward.
"I am literally in shock as I write this - but I want to do something for Noel and his 2 children, Ford (15) and Darby (7). This is an incredibly difficult time for Noel, and moving forward with his life is going to feel insurmountable," wrote Hall
He continued, "I know that his work will undoubtedly be affected, and I would really like for him and his family to be supported during this time. There will be many costs, including airfare for immediate family, food, child care, counselling, funeral expenses, etc. Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgment, and had the sweetest voice."
Johansen's colleagues have been posting the link to the GoFundMe, including the When Calls the Heart costume designer, and actress Jill Morrison.
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