Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 16/01) - Faith and service were emphasized during a memorial service last week in Inuvik for Gwich'in elder Sarah Simon.

Anglican Bishop Larry Robertson delivers the eulogy during a memorial service last week in Inuvik for Gwich'in elder Sarah Simon, who died Nov. 2 at the age of 100. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

Born near Fort McPherson, Simon, who turned 100 this past May 1, died on November 2. She was buried in Fort McPherson last week.

Bishop Larry Robertson delivered the eulogy in last Friday's service at the Anglican Church of the Ascension.

"She was a woman of faith who walked with God, and now continues to walk with God," Robertson said.

When Simon was still very young, her mother died, so her paternal grandmother began caring for her. This grandmother went blind when Simon was about 10, and Sarah looked after her.

"This was the beginning of Sarah's long career of caring for others," Robertson said.

Simon didn't go away to residential school, and was schooled by a local missionary in Fort McPherson. She learned to read both English and Gwich'in.

On July 19, 1920 she married James Simon of the Yukon. They moved to Aklavik, where Simon learned how to live in the bush and drive a dog team.

James Simon was ordained as a minister in 1959, and they both worked for the Anglican Church in Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Old Crow and Whitehorse. James Simon died in 1977.

The couple had three children, two of whom died when young, but they adopted several children and took in many orphans. Simon also acted as a midwife, delivering 86 babies.

"No person in need was ever turned away from their home," Robertson said. Simon acted as an interpreter and worked with local teachers and researchers to promote and preserve the Gwich'in language.

Simon received many awards, including the Commissioner's Award for the NWT, and an award from the Independent Order of the Daughters of the Empire. In 1991 she received the Order of Canada.

"To Sarah, the most meaningful came in 1945 when she became a life member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church. She won this pin every day," Robertson said, before reading from a bible Simon had given to the church a few months ago.

Woman of faith

Rev. Martin Carroll also spoke during the service, noting Simon's faith.

"She was an example for all of us to go out and serve the Lord," Carroll said, noting that a little devotional book was placed in Simon's coffin.

"Many of you had a very special relationship with Sarah," Carroll said. "We'll all miss Sarah."

After the service one woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she'd known Simon all her life, and that she did a lot of work and never complained.

"There's no end to her story."