For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Chris Hoffheins.

Josée was without a doubt one of the most beautiful souls I've ever known.  Her capacity to love and feel love ran incredibly deep. 

Josée felt so incredibly deeply, and had a true heart of gold.  I am reminded of the words of Neil Young: “I want to live; I want to give; I've been a miner for a heart of gold.  It's these expressions I never give. That keeps me searching for a heart of gold.”  I was indeed looking for a heart of gold, and I found it in Josée.  She in turn saw something of value in me, and blessed me with her company, her presence in my life, her care, and her love.  I will cherish those gifts until the end of my days.

Those of us who knew Josée were inspired by her passion for music, art, and a lust for life.  She had a youthful spirit, almost childlike spirit, and yet had an old soul, one who felt that she lived countless lives in her few years.

I remember talking to her about some creative writing projects.  I was working on some story telling, and perhaps wanted to write a fantasy adventure film one day.  I was incredibly stumped over how to make my tales of adventure visually compelling, and gripping and exciting, and hold my reader on the edge of their seats, ready to turn the next page.  I’ve always loved high adventure, and felt it, but how to write it?  She listened, and then simply said “make it into a comic book.”  Suddenly the pieces fell into place.  She had this way of seeing a challenging problem, and then in short order just looking a bit outside the box, came up with a simple yet brilliant solution that unlocked all of my creative juices.

She was one of the best writers I had ever known.  Her mind was so incredibly brilliant.  I had the good fortune of editing some of her papers for school.  Having a background in communications (which she also studied), in addition to being a professional writer, I know good writing when I see it, but I had never seen anything as profound as her ability to look at some simple prose, such as a story narrative, and to suddenly and decisively deconstruct the story and examine it, understanding the very DNA or fabric of the story telling narrative, and then communicate it in a profoundly simple and compelling way.

She had a passion for music and art and a lust for life, with even her body serving as a beautiful canvas of art and passion, dramatically illustrating the diverse cultural passions she held inside as a sleeve, quite literally, on her arms and back.  She was so fearless in her dedication to her appreciation of art, music, culture, and zeal for life.

Josée will be incredibly missed, by all who knew her and were blessed by her, and especially by me.  I will love her for the rest of my life, as I am sure that many of us will.  I will feel her spirit and soul and presence deep within me, and hold her deep in my heart, all the rest of my days, and I hope we all cherish her memory.  I cannot think of one person here, or those watching at home, or those I have had the honor and privilege to meet in the aftermath of this tragedy that hasn't been made a better person for knowing her.

I dedicate this toast to Josée Champagne, who in her own dramatic and powerful, yet sweet, beautiful, and gentle way, taught me once again how to love and live again.

We love you Josée, and will remember you always.  Namasté and God’s Speed on your Journey, our sweet, sweet angel.

Chris