Dawn Elizabeth Christian

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Dawn Elizabeth Christian on May 12, 2021. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her Son Mischa, Daughter-in-law Caprice, Sister Joanne, Brother-in-law Don, Niece Trina (Mike), Nephew Wes (Kendra), and her two granddaughters Makeena and Aspyn - her whole world.

Dawn was born and raised in Victoria, BC where she stayed until her late teens. In her early years, Dawn excelled at school and sports, while beginning to form her love of nature and her desire to protect it, enhanced in no small way by her first summer job; a tour guide at the undersea gardens.

In her 20’s Dawn’s adventurous spirit led her out into the world. Always ready for new experiences she took up scuba diving, hiked and camped often and for a time lived and travelled aboard a sailboat. During this time she got employment at what she would reflect upon later, her favourite job she ever had, working at a local bookstore in maple bay.

Through a connection at said bookstore Dawn began selling wood stoves, which led her to Galiano Island. It was here she met Dan Christian, future husband and father of her son, Mischa. Shortly after giving birth and spending a summer travelling on their sailboat, they bought a 7 acre chunk of logged out land. Over the next several years, through blood sweat and tears, they transformed this parcel into a sprawling, self-sufficient, garden-tour worthy acreage.

During this time, in reaction to an imminent threat of a devastating logging project, Dawn and several other community members banded together to protest. From this, Dawn became a founding member of a progressive, well organized and successful environmental organization, The Clear-Cut Alternatives which 30 years later is still fighting to protect the natural world Dawn was so passionate about.

A couple years after her divorce, now in her 40’s, Dawn and her son, Mischa, moved to the Comox Valley looking for a fresh start.

With very few connections and carrying a portfolio of her extensive gardening work, she set out to carve a new life for herself. After several years of various gardening and landscaping jobs, Dawn went back to school. Upon completion, she found employment within the SD71 office administration ranks. Over the following years, she worked in several educational institutions throughout the valley, with her longest tenure being at Mark Isfeld Secondary, where she would stay until her retirement in late 2019. Dawn loved the connections she made with both students and staff, and truly loved her job.

Dawn’s compassion and dedication to both community and the world at large led her to join numerous causes and organizations. Never one to sit on the sidelines, she was always eager to volunteer; whether it be at the board level, down in the trenches making coffee, holding signs at rallies or filing out spreadsheets. Dawn's roots ran deep through the environmental and social activist community.

Always active even into her later years, friends could always rely on Dawn to be a partner in any variety of outdoor activity including tennis, hiking, kayaking, dragon boating or just a nice walk along any of the numerous trails throughout the valley

We have lost a friend, sister, grandmother and mother and the world has lost one of its biggest advocates.

When service information becomes available it will be posted here.