Statement on the passing of Ione Christensen

Mayor Kirk Cameron has issued the following statement:

“It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ione Christensen.

Mrs. Christensen was a truly remarkable Yukoner and trailblazer who devoted her life to serving her community.

She moved to Whitehorse with her family in 1949, a year before the City of Whitehorse was incorporated as a municipality.

She became the first female justice of the peace and judge of the juvenile court in the Yukon in 1971.

She had many firsts. In 1975, she beat out seven male candidates to be elected the first female Mayor of the City of Whitehorse. She was appointed the first female Commissioner of the Yukon in 1979 at a critical time in the evolution of responsible government in the territory. Finally, Mrs. Christensen was appointed the first female Senator for the Yukon.

Another distinction in her Yukon history was to be named the Sponsor for the HMCS Whitehorse, a naval ship commissioned as part of the Pacific Fleet of the Canadian Navy in 1998.

She is a member of the Order of Yukon and the Order of Canada.

The Yukon is known to be larger than life, and Mrs. Christensen embodied this spirit in her life and work.

Beyond her many professional accomplishments and distinctions, Ione was a warm, joyful and compassionate individual who loved the North and the people that live here.  She was known for her commitment to community and helping others, and made our city a better place throughout her life.

On behalf of the City of Whitehorse and City Council, we thank Ione Christensen for her immense contributions to Whitehorse, the Yukon, and Canada.

I, for one, will miss her deeply, as will we all.

We send our thoughts and condolences to her friends, family and loved ones.”

Contact:
Matthew Cameron
Manager, Strategic Communications
City of Whitehorse
[email protected]
(867) 689-0515