Darlene Pollard

Pollard, Darlene Marie (73) passed away at the Wind River Hospice centre in Whitehorse, Yukon on June 5, 2024.

Darlene was born on October 31, 1950 in Maidstone, Saskatchewan to Earl and Verna Carson. She grew up on the family farm with her parents and four siblings. She moved to Lloydminster in the early 70s to attend Reeves Business College, and shortly after married (later divorced) and had two children, Heather and Christa. In 1990, she courageously set out on her own to find new opportunities in the Yukon, followed a year later by her eldest daughter. It didn’t take long for Darlene to grow an extended and long-lasting family of friends. While she had various jobs as an administrative assistant, she worked for many years at the Yukon College until her retirement in 2013.

For many years she would make the annual solo drive back to Saskatchewan to visit her family, including her Saskatchewan grandkids, and friends. She loved to ‘visit’ and had strong connections with many. She loved to play cards, and her Friday adventures with the ladies to Lake Laberge to play cards was a weekly highlight. She also was a gifted knitter; making colourful and creative sweaters, scarves and socks to the great delight of her family.

Darlene was a kind, generous, gentle and loving person. She had a warm smile and beautiful laugh. She was a proud parent and grandparent, who enjoyed watching her grandchildren in any pursuit, whether piano recitals, ski races, football games, curling, hockey or just driving them to practice. She will be deeply missed by those who knew her.

Darlene is survived by her sisters Diann (Doug) and Hazel, her brother Irvin (Maryann), her daughters Heather (Daniel) and Christa (Blaine), her five grandkids Leanne, Lyndon, Taylor, Hannah and Abigail, great grandchildren Elodie and Korbyn and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Edie, brother-in-law Dennis, and her nephew Brent.

The family would like to thank the compassionate doctors, nurses and health care professionals at the Whitehorse Hospital and the Hospice Centre.