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VICTORIA JASON
Born: Apr 24, 1945
Date of Passing: May 20, 2000
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
VICTORIA JASON Peacefully with her loving family at her side, Victoria departed on a new journey, May 20, 2000. She started her life April 24, 1945, in Durban, Man., daughter of Wasyl and Frances Polon. She attended school in Durban, married at an early age and moved to Herchimer (south of Churchill), where her love of the North began. Raising two young daughters there, she gained many strengths from her experiences. In 1966 she moved to Winnipeg and had her third daughter. She worked as a keypunch operator at Gambles, MTS, then CN. Four of the biggest highlights in her life was becoming a grandmother. In 1986 (twice), Garrett and Denine; 1991, Keith and 1994, Aleia. In 1990, she started training for her dream of returning to the North. These dreams were realized when she began her adventure of kayaking the Arctic. This journey carried on through the summers of 1991 to 1994 as she successfully kayaked the Northwest Passage, the only woman in history to ever do so. She put her adventures on paper, publishing her book (Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak), a national bestseller and toured the country, sharing her dreams and experiences of the North. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Angela Everts (Brian and Aleia) Debbie Peterson (Grant and Denine) Teresa Davey (Gregg, Garrett and Keith) loving sisters and brother; nieces and nephews, relatives and many wonderful friends. She was predeceased by her father Wasyl Polon in 1980 and mother Frances Polon in 1977. Mom loved freedom and solitude, always telling us and everyone to follow their dreams, wherever they may take you. "Kabloona," may your spirit be a "windsong" across the water. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in Victorias memory to CancerCare Manitoba, 100 Olivia St., or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301 - 352 Donald St. A celebration of her life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, in the chapel at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main St. at which friends and family are invited to share memories of Victoria. A time of fellowship and refreshment will follow in the Glen Eden Reception Centre. Cremation has taken place and Victoria will be brought back to the North which she loved so much. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 Main Street 338-7111
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2000
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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Kabloona has been on my list of go to books when I kayak. I also have given to many paddling friends that appreciate her candor and research into mapping and the people who she encounters. I love this book and it got me my first interview with my first job! How incredible her journey in life and Windsong will always be a beautiful kayak and she is the best adventurer I’ve ever known (really not known but feel that I have known. - Posted by: Sherry (Fellow Kayaker ) on: Jan 03, 2024
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Your mom continues to be my inspiration, more than 25 years after first reading her book. - Posted by: Karen (Fan ) on: Jul 27, 2021
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I am only on August 2 of the first leg of Ms. Jason's trip in her book, and have found the paddling inspiration I was looking for [and then some]. I am so in awe of what Victoria accomplished. I've paddled many more miles in canoes than kayaks at this point, but in honor of both Ms. Jason and my sister Laura - who did paddle many saltwater miles in her kayak - I hope to see some of the sights both of them saw from a kayak. I wish you two paddlers could share stories about your respective journeys. Maybe you can? Rest in peace. - Posted by: Laura W's Sister (Fellow Kayaker [but only fresh water, so far...]) on: Mar 02, 2021
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This morning I was thinking about Victoria; just memories of nearly 20 years ago when she befriended me after my ten year plan to paddle the north got cancelled. She graciously invited me into her inner circle of authors, paddlers ad adventurers -and an invitation to paddle the north a gesture beyond measure. My Mother passed away at almost the same time so it was months before I learned I had also lost Vicky. I’ve loaned her inspiring book to many and on many occasions thought of our trip that was not to be as well as learning more from her. Today is Sunday and I’ve just been to church. She too was a blessing on earth and I’m sure also is in heaven - Posted by: Fred Couch (Paddle friend) on: Jan 13, 2019
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A few years ago, my dear friend loaned me her copy of Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak. I truly savoured every word of this journey of courage, strength, fortitude and willpower. Wish I had contacted Victoria to say how very much her personal story of endurance and adventure filled my heart to the brim with joy. My birthday is also on April 24 so I will always think of her on that day. Imagining she is now paddling happily somewhere on the other side. My sincere condolences to her family. May you always be blessed with loving memories. - Posted by: Christina MacLean (Reader ) on: Sep 11, 2018
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I'm just finishing reading Kabloona... I was hoping to find Victoria's next book online. Gosh! Guess not! I'm so happy she had the confidence to carry on by herself and then write the book to share her magnificent adventures. - Posted by: Roseanne (Reader of her book ) on: May 22, 2018
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I too have just finished reading Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak, and I stand in awe of what Victoria accomplished. What wonderful experiences she had in the Arctic. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Laura C. (reader of her book) on: Sep 23, 2014
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I just read Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak. It is a powerful story about her Arctic journey. I lived on Baffin Island for some years and can identify with her feelings, challenges, determination although I didn't kayak the mighty ocean. I am sorry she died young, but she sure did LIVE while she was on this earth. I consider it a privilege to have 'traveled' with her as I read her amazing book. Thank you. - Posted by: Donna (reader of her book) on: May 02, 2014