Each day for the next 10 days, CP24 will revisit the biggest stories of this past year. In total, 10 stories will be released, in no particular order. This is the first in our "Top 10 of 2011" series.

One of our top stories of the year is undoubtedly the death of NDP Leader Jack Layton and the way our city came together to mourn the local politico.

When Layton succumbed to his second bout with cancer on Aug. 22, the city was blindsided by his death. Though he appeared gaunt at a news conference on July 25 where he announced he would be taking some time off to deal with his illness, few expected he would pass as quickly as he did. He was 61 years old.

Toronto residents reacted to Layton's death with great compassion for the long-time politician. Thousands flooded city hall, writing messages on the grounds of Nathan Philips Square that were inspired by the philosophies Layton often preached.

Thousands more lined up to pay their final respects, first in Ottawa where Layton lay in state in the foyer of the House of Commons, and then in Toronto where he lay in repose in the rotunda of city hall.

His funeral was shown on large viewing screens outside Roy Thomson Hall to accommodate the throngs of people who followed the procession and the NDP continued to see a surge in their popularity for months that followed, including during the federal election in the fall.

Layton's long-time love, fellow MP Olivia Chow spoke to CP24's Stephen LeDrew Monday about his passing and his legacy.

She said Christmas reminds her of her late husband because both he and the holiday embody the spirit of generosity.

"Christmas is coming and it's really about sharing and people really felt that Jack's life touched some part of them," she said. "Jack always liked to focus on goodness, the goodness in each human being."

Her family was touched by the public displays of grief they witnessed but Chow said she's not too surprised that people reacted the way they did.

"People were responding to Jack's message of love, hope and optimism."

In fact, at the time, people kept quoting from Jack's now famous letter to Canadians, released shortly after his death. He ended his letter with a few sentences that have been re-quoted countless times since then.

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world."

Chow said she was with him as he penned the letter and they discussed how important it was for him to get his message out.

"Of course it was important for him to leave a message for the people," she said. "It was important for him to spell out his ideas and we were so encouraged by people who responded to those issues,"

Though death is always difficult to deal with, Chow said she had time to prepare for the inevitable outcome.

"We knew it was coming to an end. Our doctors were very clear about it," she said. "But we believe in the circle of life. There is mystery always. It's not up to you and I to question birth or death. Both Jack and I accepted that and he felt it was important that a message be left and we also talked about what kind of funeral it would be."

His funeral celebrated Layton's life and career with a thought-provoking eulogy by former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis, music by former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page, a video montage of Layton's best moments of activism and touching words from his children Mike and Sarah Layton.

Family was of the utmost importance to Layton. He especially cherished his time with his young granddaughter Beatrice and the two could often be seen hand-in-hand walking through his neighbourhood during last spring's election campaign.

Though Layton's family is adjusting to life without their patriarch, there is some good news on the horizon. Chow announced that Sarah is scheduled to give birth to a baby girl on Jan 1.