Keitha Aileen “Enid” Tait
Lovingly known to many as “Gran”.
Enid (Gran) Tait, beloved wife of the late Rod Tait, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 29, 2022. Enid was notorious for throwing a party at every opportunity, and the final week of her life was no exception. Her greatest joy in life was to gather her family and this she did in her final days as we encircled her with laughter, tears, stories, music, peace and love.
Enid was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on February 1, 1931, to Keith and Toria Baldwin. Her tenacity was clearly a trait from birth as she was premature and survived the first few months by being placed on the oven door in a bread pan lined with cotton and olive oil. At the age of five, she was badly burned, causing concern of permanent damage to her leg. Her father encouraged her with the promise of a pony when she could walk, and walk she did. This began her lifelong love of horses, filling her life with freedom, adventure, companionship and joy.
Enid and Rod began their lives together on December 28, 1953, with a beautiful candlelight wedding ceremony. They arrived in the Yukon in December 1964 with their five young children. Rod managed the 1016 Experimental Farm and Enid brought her Arabian horses north. So began their pursuit to expand agriculture in the Yukon. The beautiful surroundings and welcoming people of Haines Junction made this their treasured home. Enid provided years of service to community organizations and events across the territory. In 1996 Rod and Enid were honoured to be Mr. & Mrs. Yukon in recognition of their years of service to the territory. The Yukon has lost one of its most enthusiastic ambassadors. Enid was most content when she was doing something active and in the great outdoors. One of her final requests was to be bundled up and wheeled outdoors, where we enjoyed a final walk together in the Yukon fall air.
Enid has been a friend to many, her coffee pot always on and her door always open. She lived by the adage that it’s not what is on the table that matters, it’s who is in the chairs. She leaves a hole in the hearts of her children, Holly Tait, Vickie Tait, Jamie (Barb) Tait, Jocelyn (Laurry) Orr and Russ (Dianne) Tait; her 12 grandchildren (The Dozen Cousins) and 22 great-grandchildren.
The Tait family will be forever grateful to the many individuals who watched over her in her final years in Haines Junction, as well as those who kindly cared for her in Whistlebend Place.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Haines Junction at the Convention Centre on Saturday, October 15th at 2:00 pm.
Peter Katz
Beautiful tribute ❤️❤️❤️
Maureen Bedard
My most sincere condolences to all the wonderful Tait family. She will be missed by all who shared moments with her and she will remain in my heart forever.
Frank Marinucci
Dear Tait Family,
Our thoughts are with each of during this Sacred Time. May your mom’s smile, laughter and unconditional love light your paths going forward . May your mother’s strength and courage lighten your hearts .
Love Frank , Susan, Carlea Rose and Nicholas Marinucci
Dr. Rea Postoloski
I will forever be grateful for her kindness and generosity as a child growing up in Haines Junction. She always supported all of my educational and athletic endeavors with a kind word or helping out with fundraising activities. She had such a wonderful smile and infectious laugh. She will always be one of my favourite people. May her memory bring happiness and joy.
Karen McGinnis
Lively person who shared love. A loss to us all
Sally Hogan (Backe)
This was an amazing woman that I knew when they moved to Haines Junction in 1964. She made an great positive impact on all of us youngins’.
Heaven couldn’t wait any longer for this Angel to get home.
Valerie Drummond
Loved this woman so much & I treasure the time I got to spend with her over the years, especially on some horseback trips & then later as part of our HJ lunch group. She & my mother, Marion, we’re fast friends & will be enjoying some laughs together as they meet up in the hereafter. Condolences to all the family & her many close friends. She was an amazing role model to live life to the fullest extent!
Mary Allen Blahitka
I’m sorry to hear this. I loved her & her stories! Sending love & hugs to all of her family. Love from Mary & Bill Blahitka
Claire Richter
Such a beautiful soul Enid was and a pillar to Haines Junction. She and Rod both had a hand in raising the majority of the youth of the junction at some point. What a kind and loving woman she was and a force that I have admired my whole life. I will always hear her laughter and be forever grateful for her guidance over the years. My sincere condolences Tait’s for you loss.
Ken Taylor
Enid welcomed Marilynne and I to Haines Junction 40 years ago and has been a great friend to our family ever since. We learned from Enid by watching her being an amazing mom, wife, and citizen and sharing her home with us on so many occasions. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Condolences and best wishes to the Tait family.
Ken Taylor
Janice Wotton
Enid always had the coffee pot on. She taught me to ski with some old wooden skis, mismatched, one long one short. Haha she , and I and Linda eland had some wonderful times skiing in the mountains. I hope when I grow up I can be more like her. Love you Enid.
Jane Wilder
It was an honour to have met Enid and to be included in some of the Tait family gatherings.
I send my sincere condolences to all her family and friends. With love, Jane Wilder
Melodie McBeath
My condolences to the family. I loved this woman and treasure the time I got to spend with her riding horses and chatting over tea at Vickie’s place.
Janice Brown
Enid was a really blessing to this world, such a tremendous heart. I have dear fond memories of her from my days in the Junction. My deep condolences to friends and family, holding all in my heart.
Mary Anne Boily
So much love and memories of the heart for “Mom” Tait. She lived by example and shone a light for all to see and follow. She made a difference to many people. Blessings ❤️🙏❤️
Vic Vadauskas
From my first trip to Yukon in 1981, to well into the present century, Enid always welcomed me into her home in the Junction.
She constantly asked about my family back in Ontario and, when my girls were born, Enid would often ask me about them
and their lives. I am sad that she never got to meet them.
Enid will forever be in my heart and live always in my tales of Yukon, my “second home”.
John Farynowski
John Farynowski
Enid was the first to welcome me to the community and over the next 30 yrs. remained a wonderful friend to me and my family.. I will always remember her as a huge part of my Yukon Life. My condolences to all her family. She will truly be missed by Haines Junction.
Trish Gobeil
Bob and I are so sorry to hear about Enid. She was as tough and sweet as they come, we are so fortunate to have spent some time with her while we were in HJ. Our thoughts are with Jamie, Barb and Enid’s entire family.
Pat McKenna
Sincere condolences to the Tait Family. Enid embodied the true spirit of the Yukon and welcomed so many, including me, to her home and family. I have good memories of picking cranberries with her and others in September months. Rest In Peace Enid and dance again in the arms of your sweetheart.
Chris Jenik
Vickie, Holly, Joce, Jamie and Russ –
My heart is with each of you. I feel so lucky to have known your Mom and value the times and adventures I got to spend with her. I will always carry fond memories of your Mom and how she so sincerely welcomed me into your family.
Take good care.
Love,
Chris
Diana Ratcliffe
My Aunt Enid was such a go getter. She was always on the move and organizing the next task . Her enthusiasm for everything motivated all around her, and she will be missed dearly. But never forgotten.
My deepest sympathies to Holly, Vicki, Jamie, Jocelyn and Russel. Her zest for life will flourish in you all.
Chris Jenik
Vickie, Holly, Joce, Jamie and Russ,
My heart goes out to each of you. I feel so lucky to have known your Mom and for the many times and adventures I got to spend with her. I will always have fond memories of your Mom and how she sincerely welcomed me into your family. What a remarkable person she was!
Take good care.
Love,
Chris
Val Jeske (Evancio)
Enid was my “Yukon Mom”! She has the most special place in my heart!! She and Rod welcomed us to their home and community and provided endless wonderful family experiences/opportunities while I was pregnant and living far away from family and after we moved away. The way she raised her family and the way she lived her life is what I decided I wanted to emulate! I don’t believe I ever succeeded but OHHH I respected and loved her OHHH so much! I so regret not having spent more time with her and I so regret not being there to celebrate her amazing life with you! (In fact, she was my daughter’s godmother and Laurissa actually met with her this past summer as they embarked on a Yukon adventure. I was so happy for them as they visited the Junction and met with the Hurlburts who they spent a magical day with visiting all the places I wanted them to see – including the house we lived in which Enid and Rod lived in and made their own!) You are so fortunate to have had such an amazing woman to raise you and to have been such an integral part of your life and the lives of all she touched. The life lessons she taught you by example cannot be duplicated and I know all of you appreciate all the values she instilled as you live your lives each day! And I know you will pass all of this on to future generations so her legacy will live on. Know that I love her sooo much and wish I were there to celebrate her very special life – a life where she exemplified what “giving” was all about and what “Loving” through your actions meant. She also instilled the love of nature and all the beauty that territory has to offer. She will always be there with you – on Decoli; at Kathleen Lake; at Kluane; in the mountains; with her horses; in the forests. Know that her love is with you in all of these places and enjoy!
My heartfelt sympathy to all!
Val, Jim, Laurissa, Craig, Maya and Torin