Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Theresa Crane's voice may not be one among the Sing-a-long Ladies any more, but her voice will be in the hearts of many Yellowknifers for years to come.

Theresa Crane suffered a pulmonary embolism and died July 31. Crane grew up in Pembroke, Ont., in a family of twelve. This photo at right of Theresa was taken in Grade 13. - photo courtesy of Stephen Crane

Crane, who died on July 31 from a pulmonary embolism, was as well known around the city for her vibrant and generous spirit as she was for her dedication to volunteer work. She was 78.

Crane had volunteered at the Aven seniors home for 25 years and was a singer for the Sing-a-long Ladies group for 15 years.

Her singing performances entertained audiences in Aven Manor, Aven Cottages and in palliative care at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

"She would dance a little or rock with (the seniors)," said Wendy (Foreman) William, a past resident of Yellowknife and long-time friend of Crane. "Singing was a full-body experience for her and the seniors loved that."

"It was more than just singing," said Michelle Ray Jones, director of care for Avens Community Centre. "It was bringing back familiar music, especially for the folks with dementia. People with dementia often don't remember how to speak or put a sentence together but they can still actually sing a song that they've known for years. More than just entertaining people, it's a therapy. It was really wonderful."

"Theresa had a special place in her heart for people with brain injuries," said Cathy Landry, another close friend of Crane.

"There was a spark in their eyes when she would sing."

Crane came to Yellowknife in 1968 and worked at St. Patrick School as an elementary and music teacher until she retired in 1986.

After her son Stephen was born in 1973 she took time off work until he reached school-age and joined her back at St. Patrick School.

"It was torturous," Stephen recalled, laughing over memories of Crane's well-known commitment to enunciation and strong opinions about local city matters.

Old grievances are fond memories now that Stephen has left his teenage years behind and he glows as he describes his mother's love for the people around her.

"She'd spend an hour and a half on the plane and know someone's whole life," he said, "and she'd have shared her own.

"She always had time for everybody. She always had time to listen, talk and say 'Hello.' Always."

Between performances with the Sing-a-long Ladies, Sunday brunches at the Explorer Inn, and Sunday dinners with Gerard and Cathy Landry, Crane's life in Yellowknife was surrounded by friends who were more like family.

While Crane's failing health made leaving the house difficult during the last year of her life, the support group she'd built in Yellowknife was incredibly important to her.

So important, in fact, Stephen could not convince her to leave the city and the people she loved, to be closer to himself, his wife Nancy, and their two daughters, Sidney, 13, and Hunter, 10.

"I never had to worry, but I did," Stephen said. "She was so well taken care of. She had her whole family around."

A celebration of Crane's life will be held in the Dennis Crane Memorial Gym, named in honour of Crane's late husband, on Sept. 26.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.