Minnie O’Connor

Minnie O’Conner was born Wilhelmina Frances Gottenbos in Consort, Alberta, on June 19, 1933. Her parents, of Dutch heritage, farmed near the small village of Throne, Alberta. Minnie was the firstborn into what would become a family of eight children.

In 1935, when Minnie was two, and her mother pregnant with her second child, a move was made to another farm 160 miles to the north. Minnie was too young to remember the trek, but she heard many stories of the journey while growing up. They travelled in a Ford Model T car on very primitive roads. Her father drove a tractor, pulling a hayrack full of their worldly goods.

Their destination was the farming community of St. Brides, near St. Paul, Alberta, northeast of Edmonton. The St. Brides area was populated with fifty Irish immigrant families, who were set up on farms under a plan known as the British

Empire Family Scheme. Catholic nuns and priests had established a school, a clinic, and a convent in the early thirties.

Although they were a minority in the area,

Minnie’s industrious, hard-working parents persevered and eventually had a productive farm on which to raise their children. Minnie fondly recalls the brightly painted red and white buildings, and the fact that they had power, and running water before many of their neighbours.

Minnie and her brothers and sisters were raised with a strong work ethic. They all shared in the farm work, as they grew old enough to help. Minnie mentioned raising chickens, and picking raspberries for sale, as a means to make some money after the family’s needs were taken care of.

Minnie and her siblings attended a two-room Catholic school in St. Brides, established and run by the Sisters of St. Joseph. As was the case with many prairie kids, Minnie walked one and a half miles to school in all kinds of weather, including forty below.

But cold winter weather was the least of their problems. The Dutch family experienced racial discrimination (as it would be called today). At school it got to the point where the nuns dismissed the Dutch and Ukrainian kids a half-hour early, so that they wouldn’t get harassed by the predominately Irish school population. As a result, Minnie does not have fond memories of her early school life.

Minnie planned to take her last two years of schooling in nearby St. Paul; however, part way through Grade 11, at the age of seventeen, she took a job as a nurse’s aide in the St. Paul Hospital, and loved it.

Although he was eight years older, Minnie had known, and attended the same school, as John O’Connor (yes, one of those Irish boys). They married in November of 1951, when Minnie was eighteen years old. Minnie laughs as she recalls her father’s reaction to two of his daughters marrying Irish guys. As it turned out they were good men, and both daughters had long lasting happy marriages.

Their first home was in an addition built onto her in-laws house on the family farm. Minnie recalls that in winter the water in the teakettle would be frozen solid in the mornings. Their first baby, Francis John, had arrived in September of 1952, and he was taken into bed with them to keep him warm.

Many of the Irish farmers did not adjust well to the harsh conditions of northern Alberta. They began to sell off their farms and move into the city, which would be Edmonton. In 1953, John and Minnie were able to buy a 160-acre farm for $700.00, with a house on it. Two baby girls were soon added to the family: Catherine Diane in 1953 and Margaret Mary in 1955.

John had always been the family and friends’ neighbourhood barber. In 1956, he decided to go to Edmonton and take a barbering course, possibly with the idea of having his own shop one day. One of Minnie’s brothers, along with one of John’s brothers had gone to Whitehorse, Yukon, to find work. John got a call that a barbershop in town was looking to hire a barber, and the rest is history.

On a very cold, -40 day, in December 1956, a pregnant Minnie with three youngsters arrived in Whitehorse on a Canadian Pacific DC-3 plane from Edmonton. John had driven up ahead of them with a load of their household possessions. They moved into a one-bedroom rented house, in what was known as the “Kay MacDonald area.”  There was an indoor biffy of sorts, but water was supplied by delivery. If extra water was needed, it was brought from the river by the pail full. Their two brothers also lived with them (boarders) and did so for many years. Into this cozy arrangement baby #4 arrived. Douglas William was born in the Whitehorse General Hospital on February 7, 1957. At this time the hospital was located on Fourth Avenue, where the Government Building is at present.

Within a year or two, the O’Connors bought a lot on Black Street, and had a larger house moved on to it. By 1958, John was established in his own barbershop. Thus, he began a twenty-two-year career as the town’s favorite barber. 1958 would also see the arrival of Ronald Joseph, the fifth child.

As the older children reached school age, they attended the nearby Christ the King Elementary School. Minnie was kept very busy with five children, running the household, baking for the family and others, and always nurturing her flower and vegetable gardens. She also gave of her time and energy to her church activities. 1960 brought the arrival of baby #6, a girl, Joanne Colleen.

Into this busy productive household, a seventh child was welcomed. Michael Joseph was born, October 14, 1961. In 1963, the O’Connors purchased a lot on the 6 Mile River in Tagish, with a cabin on it. This became a wonderful summer retreat for the family. Minnie feels that the best times of her life were spent there, and it remains as a family property to this day.

1964 brought a short-lived move to Vancouver, B.C. A barbershop opportunity did not pan out as expected, and they moved back to Whitehorse after a six-month stay. This was no easy feat with seven children. They took up residence at 606 Wheeler Street at this time.

As the older children reached high-school age they took part-time jobs around town at the local businesses. The strong work ethic was being passed on to the next generation. However, there was yet another member of the family to arrive; Christine Marie was born on April 26, 1966. She was #8, and completed the family of four boys and four girls.

1973 brought a move to a home on Morley Road in Riverdale. A very busy decade followed, with children in elementary school, high school, and the older ones graduating and heading out on their own.

John retired in 1980, and they thought they might enjoy living down south for a change. There was another short-lived move to Campbell River on Vancouver Island. After six months they returned to Whitehorse to a house in Riverdale, 31 Alsek, and a few years later 131 Alsek.

Later they did renovations on the cabin at Tagish, making it suitable for a year-round residence and sold the Riverdale home. Minnie’s face lights up as she recalls the wonderful decade after John’s retirement. They became snowbirds, spending summers in the Tagish cabin, and winters in Yuma, Arizona. Each year after Thanksgiving dinner with the family, they would drive south, narrowly missing the first of the winter snows. They wintered with some very good life-long friends and sometimes various family members. As well, there were trips to Hawaii and Mexico.

Unfortunately, in the early nineties John’s emphysema began to take a toll on his health. He carried on bravely for several years, but by 1996, travelling was no longer feasible, and they bought a house in Copper Ridge. Sadly, John passed away in September of 1997.

With John’s passing, Minnie thought for a time that her travelling days were over. As it turned out she had another decade of winters down south with her wonderful friends and family. She even ended up owning her own place in Yuma. As well, she has enjoyed two trips to Ireland and Scotland where John’s people came from. She has visited Australia, and New Zealand, as well as Ottawa and Eastern Canada. A very special trip was in the form of a pilgrimage to Portugal and France, including Lourdes and Paris. Minnie thoroughly enjoyed travelling and seeing all these new places.

Minnie has enjoyed good health and wonderful stamina her whole life. She climbed the Chilkoot Trail, which is on many Yukoners’ to-do list. However, in 2013, she suffered a serious medical crisis known as a laryngo spasm. The throat literally closes up, making breathing extremely difficult. This has resulted in two medivacs to Vancouver, and several hospitalizations. The end result is a permanent catheter in her throat that requires daily maintenance. With her customary resilience, Minnie reflects, “You’ve got to play with the hand you’re dealt. What else can you do?”

A terrible loss came to the family with the passing of Catherine Diane, Minnie’s eldest daughter, in 2016. She was taken by cancer at the young age of 63 years.

Minnie has taken these setbacks in her stride. At this time, 2020, in her 87th year, Minnie continues to lead an active, productive life. She lives in a lovely apartment in the Seniors Residence at the College. In summer her patio is full of flowers, including dahlias the size of dinner plates. She also is still gardening, with vegetables in the community greenhouse. It must be gratifying for her to see that two of her daughters are carrying on with the love and interest in gardening that she’s had her whole life. She continues well into her 80’s to provide her wonderful homemade bread and cinnamon buns to friends and family. She is very involved, if not in charge, of the social activities that take place in the building. Her door is always open for drop-in visitors, fellow residents, and especially family.

Seven out of eight of John and Minnie’s children have chosen to stay in the Yukon. They have married, settled into careers, and

raised their families here. A last count, Minnie has 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, again all but one are Yukon citizens.

Minnie passed away on September 10, 2022