The Nicholson family found healing on the wings of 33 butterflies on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The matriarchs gathered to find closure after losing Russia Nicholson, who was five months pregnant when she was murdered in October last year.

鈥淲e are trying to do something positive with her memory today, and it was a very tragic time for us,鈥� Megan Nicholson, Russia鈥檚 cousin said.

鈥淲e are trying to make good memories together while we honour her, instead of coming together in sad times to remember her we want to come together for a happy time to honour her.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a start in a long process to get any kind of comfort in what happened,鈥� Nicholson said.

Five-hundred butterflies were released during the sixth annual Butterfly Effect hosted by the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

Hundreds of people released butterflies at Falcon Ridge Farms in honour of their loved ones that have died.

All proceeds for the event will go to that provides support for those dying or grieving by trained volunteers and professional counsellors for free throughout the Central Okanagan.

鈥淭he butterfly effect is an opportunity for people to come out and remember those who have touched their lives that have died,鈥� Natasha Girard, executive director if COHA said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to gather with friends and family and share the release of the butterflies into nature. Through talking about death and dying the stigma is going away, we need to normalize (these conversations) because it will affect all of us one day. This is a step forward.鈥�

Related:More than $270,000 raised for 琉璃神社-based hospice

The Wotherspoon sisters

Sachelle and Kaisia lost their sister in 2007 to cancer. They are attending the event for a third time to honour their loss.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just something nice to do, we get together and it feels good,鈥� Sachelle said.

The women say the tradition brings their family together and they are able to find solace through each other.

鈥淲e always just let the butterfly do its thing and we focus on her,鈥� Kaisia said.

Therese and Bill Coates

In memory of family members they have lost in the past to cancer and two this year to old age, the couple praised the sunshine for the perfect day to reminisce.

鈥淎s I am walking it is such a nice time to reflect on their lives, it鈥檚 a very positive moment for us,鈥� Therese said.

Edna Terbasket and Mark Gibbons

Attending the event for the first time the pair did not release butterflies, instead they are grieving by walking the grounds.

鈥淚 am honouring my grandson Joshua Dubrett,鈥� Terbasket said.

鈥淚t happened quickly I was told there was no suffering for him, but he was taken too soon.鈥�

Joshua died in November in a car crash on Highway 97.

鈥淩ecently I have lost a lot of people from addiction and I am here to support Edna and everyone here actually,鈥� Gibbons said.

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