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TUKTOYAKTUK - Tuktoyaktuk residents packed Kitti Hall recently to bid a final goodbye to their eldest elder, who was remembered for her enormous generosity and commitment to the Inuvialuit culture.

Tuktoyaktuk residents showed up in droves for Jeannie Keevik's funeral service at Kitti Hall on Jan. 23. At 92, she was the oldest elder in the community. - photo courtesy of Courtney Kikoak

Born into a traditional reindeer herding family, Jeannie Keevik, 92, spent most of her life in Tuktoyaktuk. Her funeral service was held there Jan. 23.

As a harness-maker for the local herders, Keevik developed into a sewing master while raising 10 children from two different marriages.

Her beloved granddaughter Karen Gruben saw first hand her skill as a homemaker as the pair spent countless hours sewing together. She said her grandmother could turn her hand to anything, whether parkas, mitts and shoes, with which she outfitted her children and neighbours.

"She cared most about her family, always checking on her kids. But she had time for everybody, especially children, and they were always welcome at home for biscuits and crackers and tea," said Karen.

Karen admits that her grandmother's one adopted son, James, was her favourite, who she showered with attention.

Always on the go, walking mostly everywhere she went, Keevik always had time to make people laugh.

"She always loved to dance, just to make people laugh. People loved to be around her," said Karen.

Though never formally educated, the spirited elder could easily hold a conversation in her native language or English. She lived off the land, always preferring traditional food, her favourites being caribou meat, muktuk, dryfish, and drymeat.

Tuktoyaktuk mayor Merven Gruben also attended the funeral. A long-time friend of Keevik's, he said her generosity of spirit and the wisdom she brought to the community will be missed most.

"She'd invite you into her home and she didn't care if you had a million bucks, five bucks or no bucks. She was just a wonderful person. These days we're losing so many elders, and it's sad to see," said Gruben.