August 31, 1949 - August 29, 2022
Dawson Market Gardener for 40 years.
Purposeful, provident, courageous, a man of humour, great charm and few words.
He was appreciated by his community, respected by fellow farmers, admired and loved by his family and friends.
Grant leaves his loving companion Karen Digby; sons Jonathan (Mary-Pier) and Daniel; daughter Laura (Pat); grandchildren Aiden, Jaylinn, Jordan, Emma and Megan; brother Ian (Georgina); nephew Jeremy and niece Melina, both with families of their own; his former wife Karen Quinn- mother of his children; cousins and a sizeable extended family; and a handful of very dear friends of fifty years.
Grant led the life of a pioneer in modern times, meticulously tending a small field on a wilderness homestead, selling ten tons of vegetables annually to feed his community. He considered himself very fortunate to have lived the life he chose, and he treasured his experiences, his family and his friends.
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden.
"Be Here Now."
~ Grant Dowdell
So many people supported Grant and our family in recent years, as we navigated his disease of MS. We thank the dedicated staff of the Dawson Medical Clinic and Dawson Hospital, especially Dr. Adam Sherrard and nurse Joy for their compassion and kindness. We thank Home Support Workers, especially Sonja for her cheerful presence. We are grateful for Meals on Wheels and to EMS volunteers. We thank steadfast friends who visited and who were there for us through the hard bits. Karen thanks all those who supported her so that she could in turn support Grant, especially Sandra Vaisvil, Dr. Jo Devenish, Laurie Munro, counselors and support workers through Mental Wellness & Substance Use Services, staff of DCWS, and all those near and far who lifted us up in prayer.
Grant was a monthly donor to CARE Canada for more than 30 years. If you wish to honour him, a donation to CARE or a charity of your choice would be fitting.
In keeping with his wishes, Grant was buried in Dawson in a small private ceremony.
A full page tribute was printed in the Klondike Sun on September 14.