P. Donalda Zubko

Born in Saskatoon, SK, Dawn Smith trained as a registered nurse in Prince Albert, SK. She then took outpost training at the Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton, AB, before going north to Fort McPherson, NT, to open the nursing station in 1948.  There, she met her future husband, Mike Zubko, whom she married in Aklavik, NT, on 02 December 1949. They resided in Aklavik until 1959, during which time they had five children. The family then moved to the new town of Inuvik, where the youngest was born. Dawn was pre-deceased by her husband, Mike, and grandson, Cade.  She is survived by her children, Thomas (Christine), Kenneth (Yamile), Zora, Gillian, Carla and Donna-Jean; her beloved grandsons, Cameron (Anne), Zachary (Shawna) and Austin, and also her granddaughter, Keltie, whom she never met, as well as her great grandchildren, Anthony, Amelia and Kailey.  Dawn passed peacefully at home in Edmonton, AB, in the presence of her three daughters, Zora, Gillian and Donna-Jean, and our childhood friend, Janet Jones.  A memorial will be held at a later date in Inuvik once gatherings are again permitted.  She has been cremated and her ashes will be spread, together with Mike’s and Cade’s, somewhere near Aklavik in the Mackenzie Delta. Our gratitude and thanks to her caregiver, Shibrie Abera, from CBI Home Care, who tended to her for the last three years.  Profuse regards to the Alberta Health Palliative Care Unit, Pod B in Edmonton, who supported and guided us through the final years. We must also mention the Good Samaritans Seniors Clinic, Dr Koe and Dr Park, who made home visits.