Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Oct 07/02) - Irma Miron first came North to Hay River in 1949.

And in the half-century since she arrived, the now 81-year-old has made a lasting impression on the community.

Irma Miron of Hay River leads an active life, including caring for her pug Comfort. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Her contributions were even recognized when a street was named in her honour - Miron Drive.

That honour was for her 25 years teaching at various schools in Hay River.

Since she retired at 65, Miron has remained very active in the community.

"I'm always doing something," she says.

These days, she volunteers at the Thrift Store, visits seniors at Riverview Lodge, is a member of the Hay River Seniors Society, and also can be found tending the garden of her home.

Plus her pet pug Comfort keeps her active with walks three times a day. She proudly points to a picture of Comfort on the inside back cover of the NWT SPCA's 2002 calendar.

Miron says she keeps active because of her healthy lifestyle.

"I eat nourishing food," she explains. "I don't drink alcoholic drinks. I've never touched them."

And she says she never smoked.

Miron says she likes living in Hay River, explaining she can't go anywhere without being greeted with a hug by a friend.

"I can't go far without running into someone I know."

She also says she feels safe and secure in Hay River, even while walking her dog at night.

Miron, who was born and raised on a farm in Alberta, followed her late husband North, where they raised a family of three girls. Her husband, Hector, was a fisherman who came to the West Channel area of Hay River to fish on Great Slave Lake.

In 1989, Miron told the story of her two decades living on the West Channel in a small book entitled 'West Channel Memories.'