Thank you! By Kari Belcourt
To say the past few weeks have been difficult would be an understatement. The hole Linda Belcourt has left in our lives is unfillable. We would not be able to carry on her legacy — or her laughter — without the incredible love and support shown by this community.
We extend our deepest thanks to the countless individuals who attended Linda’s visitation and funeral. Your presence meant more than words can express. Thank you to the Elmvale BIA, Springwater Sports Heritage, BarrieToday, and the Elmvale Harvesters for your kind words and thoughtful recognition. We are also deeply grateful to everyone who donated in Linda’s honour, a cause close to her heart, and to those who sent flowers and cards during this time.
To everyone who shared condolences: thank you for the overwhelming kindness shown through messages, phone calls, cards, flowers, online tributes, and quiet words of comfort. Each expression of sympathy reminded us that Linda’s impact reached far beyond what she ever imagined, and those gestures brought great comfort during an incredibly difficult time.
To our community: thank you for showing up in ways both seen and unseen. From quiet gestures of kindness to public expressions of support, your compassion has carried us through the most difficult days. Linda devoted her life to strengthening community connections, and the outpouring of care we have received is a true reflection of the community she so deeply loved and served.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our friends and family who stepped in to help host the baby shower for Marie Belcourt and Brett Scott in early January — an event Linda had been planning with such care. Your efforts ensured it was the beautiful day she envisioned, and we know she would have been so proud.
To our readers: thank you for your patience, kindness, and understanding during this difficult period. Your messages, words of encouragement, and continued support have meant more to us than you will ever know. This newspaper exists because of its readers, and your loyalty reminds us why Linda believed so deeply in the importance of local news and community connection.
We would also like to sincerely thank our advertisers for their patience and continued support while publication was paused for the last two editions. To our volunteer writers, thank you for your commitment and encouragement as we move forward. We are especially grateful to the dedicated staff of The North Simcoe Springwater News for taking us under their wing during this transition, and to our printer, Transcontinental Printing, for their guidance and support.
Linda Belcourt was a fierce believer in the importance of community news and strong local connections. Thank you to everyone who has helped us continue her legacy and her mission through The North Simcoe Springwater News. There are truly no words that can fully express the love and gratitude we have felt during this time.