
Jean Forest
Jul 23, 1926 - Jan 09, 2024
Victoria, BC
In Memory of Jean Forest
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Martha Black
Aug 17, 1945 - Jan 06, 2024
Victoria, BC
Martha Louise Black, a distinguished naturalist and politician, passed away on January 7, 2024, in Victoria. Born on July 18, 1945, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, she was 78 years old. Martha Black's life was a remarkable journey of exploration, advocacy, and public service. Joining the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898, she traversed the Chilkoot Pass and became a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society for her extensive research on Yukon flora. Martha's dedication to the Yukon extended to politics, representing the territory in Parliament from 1935 to 1940. She secured her place in history as the second woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons. Born as Martha Munger in Chicago, Martha's early life was marked by education, marriage, and societal contributions. In 1898, she embarked on a Yukon expedition, later establishing a life in Dawson City with her family. Widowed and remarried to George Black, Martha's political career blossomed, advocating for the Yukon and supporting initiatives like the Alaska Highway. Martha's legacy includes co-authoring "Yukon Wild Flowers" with her husband, contributing to botanical collections, and receiving the Order of the British Empire in 1949. Her multifaceted life, spanning art, letters, science, and politics, continues to inspire citizens, and her contributions to the Yukon remain an enduring testament to a life well-lived.