Joan Elizabeth Ellery Craig (née Orton)
In Loving Memory of Joan Elizabeth Ellery Craig (née Orton)
May 28, 1934 – August 12, 2025
Joan Elizabeth Ellery Craig, 91, of Whitehorse, Yukon, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025.
Born in High River, Alberta, Joan was welcomed by her parents John and Gladys Orton and celebrated by her 4 older siblings, during those dark Depression years. From her childhood in Duncan, BC, where her youngest sister was born, to her academic pursuits at the University of British Columbia, Joan carried a vibrant spirit and an unflagging strength. Joan earned her degree in Home Economics while playing Varsity grass hockey, and went on to a formal teaching career in Vernon, Ottawa and Whitehorse.
Joan had an open and adventurous streak, creating loving homes with her husband Douglas, in Jamaica, Whitehorse and Sweden. She was known for her kindness and hospitality that spanned the communities where she lived.
Joan had a strong faith, grounded in the Anglican Church of her youth, and led by example in the daily acts of caring for others. She was active with the Anglican Church Women’s events and maintained lifelong friendships from this shared fellowship.
Joan had a passion for gardening, with famed and widely-distributed raspberries. She held founding roles in the community-wide composting service and a community garden in Whitehorse. She shared an interest in the well-being of the environment, and joined Doug in his research of wind-energy, mine reclamation and the early days of Raven Recycling. She was equally concerned with the welfare of others, involved in campaigns in children’s school nutrition, and the creation of the Child Development Center and Whitehorse Crisis Line.
Joan had a love of people and love of life, which persisted through her final years when illness forced her to slow down.
Joan was predeceased by her husband, Douglas in 2005. She is lovingly remembered by her children Marion (Tanya), David (Jill), and Pauline (Scott), as well as her grandchildren, Daniel and Katie and each of her nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Whitehorse on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Reception in Hellaby Hall to follow. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend or join via live-stream. Please contact us through joaneecraig@gmail.com to request a link and to send messages/remembrances to be read at the reception.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers at Valleyhaven Retirement Community in Chilliwack, whose compassionate care over the past 13 years was deeply appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia which now serves Yukon.
Marie Carr
Joan is the reason the Downtown Urban Gardeners Society exists today. Her work ethic and vision were a tremendous inspiration to generations of gardeners who reaped the benefits. There’s a small plaque in the South Garden dedicated to her memory. I didn’t meet her until she was in early stage dementia. I was co-managing Whitehorse Food Bank and her daughter brought her in because Joan wanted to volunteer, to give back to the community. She really impressed me and as much as possible, I have tried to carry forward her example. She left the world a better place for having been here.