AMANDA RENDELL (née BURIAN)

AMANDA RENDELL (née BURIAN)

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Amanda Rendell, at the remarkable age of 106. Her home, Thomson Centre, gave her into the care of Whitehorse General Hospital, where she passed peacefully with family members surrounding her.

Amanda was born in Camrose, Alberta, one of nine children. The family eventually moved to the Vancouver area and since some of her brothers had found work in the North, at the tender age of 17, she arrived in Whitehorse on February 7, 1937, with the same intention. She worked at the Regina for the summer, then followed her brothers to Dawson City, where her work ethic and energy kept her constantly employed. Amanda was introduced to Charlie, who had been asked to keep an eye on the “little sister”.  And he did. They were married on December 22^nd, 1940, and in 1943 baby Billy came along. During her time in Dawson, Amanda worked as a telephone operator and a house painter, helped Charlie operate his dredge, hunted, fished, and cut wood together, grew a garden, picked berries, baked, and was often seen riding her bicycle over hill and dale. In 1957, a daughter, Pamela, was born.

In 1962 the family moved to Whitehorse and Amanda worked as a desk clerk at the Stratford Motel until her employment was interrupted by a car accident and a lengthy recovery. She gradually re-habbed herself by extending her gardens and, year after year, harvesting a winter’s worth of root vegetables and filling the freezer as well. There were lengthy camping, fishing, hunting trips and exploring what was over the next hill. She walked every trail from Porter Creek to Riverdale many times over.

Eventually the ‘inconvenience’ of advancing years limited her rambles to the river paths and stopping in to see “the kids” at the skateboard park. She enjoyed watching and talking with them and started looking after the area. She had their appreciation and became known as The Skateboard Grandma.

Amanda dearly missed her husband Charlie and her son Bill, who left us many years before. She is survived by her daughter Pamela Charman (David), grandson Brian (Cara Millar), great grandsons Eagan and Austin and great granddaughter Daphne; granddaughter Shannon Wentworth (Gary) and great grandson Garon; grandson Derek (Corinne Amyotte); many dearly loved nieces and nephews, near and far, and numerous people who loved her and were inspired by her. Thank you to all of you. Her beautiful smile lit up the room and we will never forget it.

Amanda requested her funeral to be held at Christ Church Cathedral, corner of 4^th and Elliott. It will be held on Wednesday, October 15^th at 2.00 p.m. Immediately afterward, we will lay Amanda to rest at Grey Mountain Cemetery. All are welcome at the reception at Hellaby Hall afterward.