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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
Before Lillian Kristensen died in 2005, her husband, Ib, made a promise to her. The promise was that he would publish a book about her life that she was working on with writer Jessie Chapin.

Ib Kristensen of Fort Smith holds a copy of Lillian's Story: The Tapestry of a Weaver's Life. The self-published book is about his late wife, Lillian Kristensen. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Ib Kristensen has now kept that promise with the recently-printed book Lillian's Story: The Tapestry of a Weaver's Life.

"It took me seven years to get everything together and get myself together to actually do this," he said, noting he took the promise to his late wife very seriously.

The book covers all of Lillian Kristensen's life – her younger years in Denmark, immigrating to Canada with Ib in the 1950s, moving to Fort Smith in 1971, and her courageous and inspiring 12-year battle against the cancer which finally claimed her life at the age of 70.

It's good to have the book finally printed, Ib said. "It's a fantastic feeling that it is done and more so because people that knew Lillian and have already read the book say it's fantastic."

Chapin, who lived in Fort Smith from 2000 to 2004, said she suggested the idea of a book to Lillian and she was very receptive to the idea.

"When she got cancer for the third time, all of a sudden it occurred to me that I would like to write about her and I asked her if I could and she said yes," Chapin recalled.

She took verbatim notes during meetings with Lillian, who also sent the writer some recordings of stories. As much as possible, the book – told in the first person – is in Lillian's own words.

"I like her story because there is just so much there," Chapin said. "She's been through so much and just kind of came out triumphantly through it. She had an impoverished childhood and an alcoholic father and all kinds of heartbreak, and yet she was so full of life and had this romance with this handsome young guy. Then they eventually immigrated to Canada, and they were always penniless and somehow managed to survive – always trying new things and adventure, and coming up North."

She called Lillian a fascinating and inspiring person.

Chapin said she hopes people will get a sense of hope from reading the book.

"A lot of people will let difficult circumstances just cripple them or make them bitter, and that's just not necessary at all. Lillian went completely opposite from that," she said. "She was the one bringing me cookies and she was going through chemo. She was the one cheering everybody up at the hospitals and always doing something for someone."

Ib has a very similar recollection, noting his late wife was always looking to cheer up people, even when she was sick.

"There was never a hard word spoken to anybody by her," he said, noting she was always smiling and on top of the world. "People could learn from that, I think, that life isn't all that tough."

Ib said Chapin, who now lives in British Columbia, did a fantastic job in writing the book.

Dixie Penner, who was a good friend of Lillian, said she is excited that a book has been printed and is looking forward to reading it.

"I think Ib did a great thing there," said Penner, who noted Lillian started Fort Smith's first animal shelter – in her backyard.

Lillian was also well-known as a weaver – hence the title of the book – and was once named the NWT's Elder of the Year and Citizen of the Year in Fort Smith.

Ib Kristensen had 100 copies of the book printed, and gave away many and sold some others.

"The 100 copies are just about gone," he said.

The books are not available in bookstores, but Kristensen said he may order another printing.

A book about Lillian seems appropriate. For many years, she and her husband owned and operated a bookstore – North of 60 Books.

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