Mourners pay respect to the Queen at New Westminster memorial

Schools and many businesses were closed across the province Monday as British Columbians paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

Schools and many businesses were closed across the province Monday as British Columbians paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

In Metro Vancouver, people are taking the opportunity to visit landmarks bearing royal names.

Dozens of mourners visited a makeshift memorial at Queen’s Park in New Westminster.

It has grown exponentially in size since the first bouquet of flowers was laid there 10 days ago. As the Queen was finally laid to rest, even more people dropped by Monday morning.

“Honestly, what a tremendous woman. She was the strongest woman and I really respect that,” said Roslynne, a New Westminster resident.

Those sentiments were echoed in many of the notes left at the memorial.

New Westminster residents paid tribute with salutes, flowers, letters and even a bear with a marmalade sandwich.