OTTAWA – One year ago the country was shocked to hear that NDP Leader Jack Layton had passed away.

It has been an emotional year for Olivia Chow, who says she deeply misses her late husband.

“I’m constantly reminded of him when I’m in Parliament Hill, at home, in our Ottawa apartment, so it’s pretty tough,” she said.

Chow said she has been getting through this through messages of hope from people across the country who know what it’s like to lose a loved one.

“Receiving notes from people saying I lost my husband or I lost my wife. There is a brotherhood, sisterhood of people out there that go through the same thing I go through and we know that we will come out of it.,” she explained.

“I think the key thing is to say that, that’s the past but lets look forward and lets keep the good memories and lets honour the person by supporting the values that Jack or others have.”

Chow said she is especially touched by those who say they have listened to Jack’s call to help improve their communities.

“To see that kind of response is just wonderful and it doesn’t matter what political stripe the person has, as long as we strive to make a difference.”

She said she hopes history will see this as Jack’s legacy.

“To be good with each other. We can be prosperous but we could also make sure no one is left behind.”

Memorials for Jack Layton will take place across the country on Wednesday.