Cambridge girl who loved Halloween remembered with haunted house

Halloween used to be a happy time in the Masters' house.

The costumes, the candy, it was five-year-old Elizabeth Ariel's favourite time of year and her mother Tammy and sister Amber loved watching the excitement build.

But that all changed on Oct. 31, 2022.

The night before, Amber recalls having a tough time putting her sister to bed and when they awoke the next morning, Elizabeth was dead.

The family was told the cause of death was a genetic condition but still aren't fully clear on the details.

Now, a year later, the family is hoping to rekindle some of that happiness while honouring Elizabeth's memory and her love of Halloween by bringing smiles to other children's faces at a haunted house in the complex where they live.

"The front of it will say 'Izzy’s Haunted House' and have a picture of her," Amber said.

"There will be witches, items kids can touch and feel, ghosts and a graveyard. At the end there’s going to be a tiny house where we'll be handing out candy."

Despite the nightmare the family has been living over the past year, they've found a way to still find joy in Halloween.

There's just something about seeing kids dressed up, laughing and having fun. It's a reminder to enjoy the little moments in life and not take yourself too seriously.

Amber hopes those who come through do just that, but also remember that behind their smiling faces remains a pain no family should have to endure.

"It was really hard for a long time," Amber said.

"We're doing this for her and in memory of her. I hope people see there was another child within the community who doesn’t get to have the experiences everybody else will."

Described as energetic with a big smile and possessing the ability to make everyone laugh, Izzy was a trick-or-treat regular from the time she was a year old.

The costume she was most looking forward to wearing was the one she had planned for last year, a police officer. Tragically, she never got the chance to show it off.

Amber and her family hope, if everything goes well, this won't be the last time they run the haunted house.

"It’s been a long process making sure we're getting everything right and drawing out how it's going to go," she said.

"We can do it next year. Our plan is each year to make it the best it can be."

The haunted house begins at 7 p.m. on Halloween night at 127-161 Bechtel Street housing complex in Hespeler.

For more information visit the Izzy's Haunted House Facebook page.