July 9, 1949 - December 24, 2021
In the early morning of December 24, 2021, Dilys passed in her sleep. This came~6 weeks after receiving her cancer diagnosis. She was at her home of 45 years with her husband Herman by her side, as she wished.
Dilys was predeceased by her parents, Muriel and Harold, as well as by her brothers Dale (Irene) and Todd (Joan). She is survived by her husband Herman, son Quentin (Carol), daughter Geri (Robert), 4 grandchildren (Cory, Nathan, Zachary and Erin) and two sisters Kerry (Laz) and Carmen (Denis) along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Born Dilys Lorraine Cassidy in Edmonton, Alberta, she grew up on the family farm and then graduated from the University of Alberta in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Married soon after, she moved north to Inuvik in the NWT where she had her son, Quentin.
During a 2-year return to Alberta from 1974-1976, Dilys earned a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Calgary, and had her daughter Geri. Soon thereafter the family returned to the North, settling for good in Whitehorse in September of 1976.
There, Dilys threw herself into doing it all as a devoted wife, mother, and a professional at both the Council for Yukon Indians (CYI) and Yukon College. Dilys was a lifelong advocate of education and the CFL, a relatively late convert to golf, and an enthusiastic boat-owner, gardener, card-player, camper and Yukoner.
Her role at Yukon College afforded her the opportunity to help numerous Yukoners find their way into training programs, good jobs, and careers. Despite others' viewing her contributions as pivotal in their lives, Dilys simply regarded helping others as part of her job.
While she will be missed immensely, Dilys and her family were comforted by the numerous calls, texts, and emails received in her final weeks attesting to how Dilys touched many with her friendship, kindness, wisdom, sense of humor, and hard work.
They were especially grateful to Dr. Kmet and the home care team that enabled her to be at home for her final weeks, as well as the entire care team at Whitehorse General Hospital and Drs. Chau, Fair, Thomas, Kopjar, and the Social Work team (Brettler, O'Brien, etc.) whose compassion, transparency, and professionalism were remarkable.
Details on a service and celebration of Dilys' life will follow when COVID and the weather are more hospitable.
A memorial will be held at the Gold Rush Inn on July 28th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Refreshments will be available.