Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been blessed this year with one of the best summers on record and I hope that everybody, although you’re really busy, had an opportunity to get out and enjoy it.
As usual, over extended periods of time there have definitely been some high points and some low points. On the low side, over the last couple of months we have lost some great northern residents. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the family of
Theresa Crane. Theresa passed away this summer. I’ve known Theresa for a number of years and she was a fantastic lady. I enjoyed receiving phone calls from Theresa and having her ask me to come down for tea and politics, where we would discuss and discuss and discuss issues important to her and the Northwest Territories. She was a long-time resident of Yellowknife and the Great Slave riding, and through discussions it was clear that she truly loved Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. She was an active volunteer and she cared passionately about everyone that she came into contact with. She’ll definitely be missed.
In addition to the sad events, though, we also witnessed some amazing milestones over the last couple of months. By way of an example, on September 25th a constituent of mine in the Great
Slave riding and a long-time Northerner, Ms. Annette Lemay, celebrated her 90th birthday. I
recently communicated with John and Joan Snuverink and their friend Phyliss LaFleur, who were long-time friends of Annette. They shared some stories and highlights of Annette’s life. They all wish Annette a happy birthday.
Annette was born on September 25, 1922. She and her husband Aurel moved to Yellowknife shortly after they were married on May 17, 1952. She was 30 at the time. They celebrated their 60th wedding
anniversary in Yellowknife this year. Annette has tirelessly volunteered with the community at the Roman Catholic Church for the past 60 years. She volunteered on a regular basis until last year, 2011. Her friends have commonly referred to her as remarkable. As a note, Lemay Drive in Yellowknife was named after Annette’s husband, Aurel, for his long-time contribution and career at Yellowknife Giant Mine. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Annette a happy 90th birthday and wish both
Aurel and Annette a belated happy 60th anniversary. It’s people like Annette and Aurel who help make Yellowknife the great city that it is.