Yellowknife (Apr 21/03) - The death of Alice Johnson marked not only the passing of one of Yellowknife's earliest pioneer women, but also of a woman who left her mark on the community she loved through her many volunteer endeavours.

Alice Johnson died in Vancouver March 19. She was one of Yellowknife's pioneers and a founder of Daughters of the Midnight Sun. - photo courtesy of North Johnson

Johnson died on March 19 in Vancouver at age 90.

She was born in Nanton, Alta. She married Ivar Johnson in 1936 in Peace River and came to Yellowknife in 1938. She was the 12th non-aboriginal woman to arrive in the small mining camp. She had an optimistic spirit and a great sense of humour, and was practical and down to earth. She needed those qualities to cope with her new life.

When her son, North, was born she came home with him in a dog sled from the hospital at Con to Old Town. One of the founders of the Daughters of the Midnight Sun, she had many stories of the early "antics" of that organization.

Johnson gave of herself for the betterment of Yellowknife. She was one of the founders of the Children's Aid Society and worked tirelessly to ensure that welfare needs of the community were met.

She found foster homes for neglected children and even in her later years remembered the children with whom she had worked. She had no professional training but her intuition, empathy and practicality made her a natural.

Johnson worked with the society from 1948 through its formal incorporation in 1950 and was a member of its first board of directors. She continued to play an important role in the society over the next two decades, frequently serving as president.

Alice and Ivar Johnson were founding members of Yellowknife United Church in 1956. Ivar's construction company built the church and the student minister, Chuck Raymont, lived with the Johnson's for the summer. They remained active members until their departure from Yellowknife in 1970.

Johnson was involved with school support activities when her three children, North, Sharon and Cora were students.

While her husband changed the face of Yellowknife with all the buildings he built, Alice Johnson was always aware of the needs of its people.

The Johnsons moved to Kelowna in 1970 where Ivar died in 1988.

Johnson moved to Vancouver in 1993 after suffering serious vision loss.