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INUVIK
For the third time, friends and family of Debbie Lindsay gathered at the Inuvik branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for the Debbie Darts Memorial Tournament, held on Sunday.

The day-long Debbie Darts Tournament at the Legion Sunday was held in honour of Debbie Lindsay. Back row, from left, are Carley Gray, Joy Cathers, Chelsey Larocque (behind), Corrine Bullock, Gloria Allen, Lilias Mitchner and Louise Kuzman. Front row, from left, are Lena Church, Camellia Gray, Ruth Pulk (holding picture of Debbie), Michel Lindsay, Nicole Lindsay (behind), Lorna Gruben-Matthews and Agnes Smith. - photo submitted by Corrine Bullock

The tournament started in October 2010 after Debbie succumbed to breast cancer.

"My mom was always volunteering with the Legion," said Michel Lindsay, one of Debbie's daughters.

"This all started with Mike Carruthers as a way to remember her."

An avid bowler, Debbie picked up darts after the bowling alley shut down in 1995. She was a regular playing darts at the Legion and went to the nationals in Ottawa in 1996.

"She was part of our executive committee at the Legion," said Carruthers. "We decided we'd do a tournament every year around the same time in her honour."

The day-long tournament has two sections: ladies doubles and mixed doubles.

On Sunday, the ladies doubles were winding down with a three-way tie for second place.

"It's an appreciation and remembrance for some of our members," said Carruthers. "It's a fun thing and a really good event."

Balloons shaped like pink ribbons floated near the ceiling, well away from the dart boards, and a framed photo of Debbie graced the entrance.

"Everyone that shows up here knew my mom," said Lindsay.

It was the largest turnout so far, said Corrine Bullock, one of Debbie's daughters.

"Ten teams registered in the ladies division and 20 teams in the mixed division. There were prizes for first and second place in each division and the majority of the winnings were donated back into a fund that we'll be sending to a designated cancer fund," said Bullock. "On behalf of our family, thanks to everybody that came out."

This was the first time Debbie's brother Mikkel Pulk was able to make it to the tournament.

"I remember the first one," he said. "I didn't go, it was too close to home, but the enormous outpouring of support was something else."

Darts were Debbie's game and she would have enjoyed the tournament, said Pulk. He likens the event to a family reunion, but one that also raises cancer awareness.

"For a lot of us we're reminiscing and sharing stories, like all the funny things that happened," said Pulk. "All in all, she's probably looking down and smiling."

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