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McKenna Funeral Home Obituaries
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Jimmy Fatt
January 1, 1937 - January 20, 2022
It's with great sadness we must share yesterdays passing of long time guide, and respected Łutsel K'e elder, Jim Fatte.
Jimmy, as he was fondly known to most around the Lodge, was simply one of the best. The type of person you always looked forward to seeing. His perpetual smile and happy go lucky attitude only rivalled by his sense of humour and kindness.
To many new and younger guides, myself included, Jimmy was an absolute legend of the East Arm. In his own way, he taught many generations of Frontier guides (and guests) more about the lake and the Dënesųłiné people than we even realized. Just by talking with him and watching how he did things, where he chose to fish, what he did on windy days.. he was a great teacher, and friend to all.
Not unlike the countless other longtime guides in Łutsel K'e who have shared their knowledge with visitors to the East Arm for all these years, his presence meant something. Frontier wouldn't be the place it is today without the time, effort, care and passion of Jim Fatte.
So to say he will be dearly missed, is a tremendous understatement. He's irreplaceable. But for all those who knew him, and future generations of staff and guests, he will also live on in the stories we tell year after year.
Like the one about THE FISH that Jim and ole Bill Pittock caught "that" day on Bills 30th and final trip before his own passing. Both men said it was so big the two old fellas couldn't even lift it into the boat. Yet, when you asked Jimmy about it afterwards, he would grin and wink, because even though there's no photo of it, him and Bill knew, and that was enough for everyone.
Perhaps the best send off we could give to Jimmy, would be to have past guests, staff and local members share their photos, stories and memories of Jim in the comments of this post. So please feel free to do so, I know it would mean a lot to the family and community to share that with them during this very difficult time.
To Jim, wherever you are, we hope that the fish are biting, the caribou are plentiful and the winds are kind.
RIP old friend.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Bac Phung
August 11, 1929 - January 18, 2022
A private visitation has been held for the late Bac Phung.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Eva Margaret Henderson
July 20, 1925 - January 17, 2022
There was a great shift in the universe as the Gates of Paradise opened to welcome Eva Margaret Henderson (nee Maitland) to join with her parents Anne Jane Maitland (nee Robb), George Maitland, her brother Doug Maitland, her husband Eric Henderson, and grandson Timothy Henderson.
Eva began her life of service on July 20, 1925 on a farmstead in Edmonton Alberta. She always had a cheery disposition and a welcoming smile and took the time to listen and give her full attention. She had the ability fully attend to every individual she encountered. Eva always knew she would be a nurse and first registered in Alberta in 1948. She took a break from nursing to raise a family, returning to nursing in 1970 and was a founding member of the NWT Nursing Association in 1975. She worked at the Stanton Cottage Hospital and help with the foundation of the Homecare Services in Yellowknife. She was an honorary lifetime member of the NWT/NUA Nursing Association. True northern nurse, Eva managed to see much of the North doing escort duty. Eva was also a flight attendant with Northwest Territorial Airlines.
Having a broad skill set and being such an exceptional worker, she had her name in for casual positions in a variety of places. She would refer to herself as a “callgirl”. The agency that called first would get her services.
Eva blessed a multitude of people through her life with her gift of hospitality, serving bed and breakfast beginning at the age of 6 when she would take breakfast to the travellers who slept in the family barn during the depression, to the folks who stayed the bed and breakfast in Yellowknife from 1985 to 2014. Our kitchen table was like a mini United Nations with folk from all over the world sitting around enjoying Eva’s cooking and Eric’s stories. Her moto for the bed and breakfast was “come as guests, leave as friends. Her correspondence list would grow as she kept in touch with her ever expanding family.
From 1973 until 2010 Eva could be found outdoors summer and winter, hunting, gardening or camping, with the retrofitted van complete with the wood stove and the protruding chimney. Whether it was +40 or -55 she could be found on the back roads or the ice roads of the North as far as the Arctic Circle or travelling across Canada, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia from Coast to Coast visiting friends often met through the Bed and Breakfast. Eva’s love and unconditional acceptance was legendary and her adopted family numbered in the hundreds. The group of folk who called themselves ‘Evas boys’ continued to grow even in the last months of her life as she was carried by first responders from her chair on to a waiting stretcher when she needed to go to the hospital Eva's grateful, spitfire, vivacious nature will be missed by all who knew her.
Eva's family have been blessed with 96 years of an inspirational example of life well lived through good times, bad times, poverty and abundance. Eva’s ever optimistic perspective has changed many lives.
Up until the end of September of this year, Eva could be seen walking around the block pushing her wheelchair in all weather “because she could”.
Eva was reluctant to leave her children Ian, Neil (Debra) and Ed, Audrey and Carol. Her grandchildren Kelly (Erin), Leanne (Chris) and Derek (Amanda), Daniel and Charlie will share fabulous memories, and her great grandchildren, Briar, Sophie, Clara and Alexandra will carry on her legacy of being a positive influence in the lives of all they meet.
In the past two years since Eric died she would say she was bored and wanted to go for a Grande Adventure… Well dearest Eva… your greatest adventure has begun.
Eva has been cremated via (aquamation an environmental friendly method) and a memorial service will be held on her Birthday July 20, 2022.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a local charity of your choice.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Diane Hunter
July 20, 1971 - January 12, 2022
Funeral Services for the late Diane Hunter will be announced once finalized.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Linda Lou Carter
June 22, 1948 - January 6, 2022
Funeral Services for the late Linda Lou Carter will be announced once finalized.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Randy Bonnetrouge
April 26, 1970 - January 5, 2022
There will be a public visitation for the late Randy Bonnetrouge on Monday, January 10, 2022 at McKenna Funeral Home from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. There is a maximum of 5 people at one time. Proof of vaccination is required. All visitors are required to wear masks, sign-in, and social distance while visiting.
There will be a private church service at Saint Michael's Parish in Behchoko with burial to follow Thursday January 13th, 2022 at 12:00 pm.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Tracy Smallgeese
August 7, 1988 - January 4, 2022
Funeral services for late Tracy Smallgeese will be announced once finalized.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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Sandra Lee Pokiak
December 19, 1980 - January 1, 2022
Funeral services for late Sandra Lee Pokiak will be announced once finalized.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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George Albert Lafferty
November 14, 1955 - January 1, 2022
A wake and prayers will be held on January 4th, 2022. Please contact Hay River Funeral Services for time and location. A Church Service will take place at a later date.
A beautiful soul is never forgotten.
Send messages of condolences to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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