Whitehorse Daily Star

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Donna Clayson-Prokop

August 2, 1950 – September 27, 2023

The family of Donna Kristine Clayson-Prokop is sad to announce her passing.

Donna, age 73, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Donna was born August 2, 1950 in Dawson Creek, B.C. to Doug and Kristine Storing.

She was an administrator for the Yukon Vocational School and with Edmonton Transit (26 years).

Donna will be remembered by her many other accomplishments. Her volunteer work included her role as past president of the Civil Air Search & Rescue Association (CASARA), a member of the Whitehorse District Search & Rescue (WDSAR), a member of the Hug-a-tree & Survive Program, a volunteer with the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and a member of the Yukon River Quest Safety Boat Team. Her earlier volunteer work in the Yukon included eight years of service entertaining residents at the Macaulay senior’s lodge, her award-winning historical work with the Jaycettes and a member of the board of the Yukon Dog Mushers Association. In addition, Donna was the owner/operator of 100 dogs in the Northern Lites Kennels.

Recent projects included the Yukon Vocational School Time Capsule unearthing and the Skymaster Down project.

She was a noted author of historical aviation, memoirs and local community periodicals, including 15 years writing for the Moccasin Telegraph.

Donna was also a contributor to history, documentation, and articles for Yukon’s local MacBride Museum and the Yukon Archives.

She donated photography and interview material to other authors of the history of the Yukon as well.

Her awards included the Commissioner of the Yukon’s Public Volunteer Service Award and the Yukon Service Pin.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Morris Prokop, daughters Andrea Ross (Wayne Butler) Verena Ross (Brent Byers), grandchildren Krystal Ross, Dustin Lukie (Aman Lukie), Jayden Chisholm, Jaxon Irving and great-grandchildren Shaan Lukie, Jay Lukie, and many other family and friends.

Donna’s family would like to thank Drs. Alex Kmet, Sally Macdonald, Graham Kopjar, Brad Avery and Karen King, as well as the staff at the Whitehorse General Hospital and Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, for their kind caring and professional support they provided Donna and ourselves during our most difficult moments.

Donna will be dearly missed, but has now gone to be with the Lord.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Comments (1)

Ian Robertson on Oct 6, 2023 at 3:44 pm

Donna was a valued member of CASARA Yukon for many years serving in various capacities from spotter to President and Yukon Director on the national board. She had a avid interest in aviation history and search and rescue in particular. It is noteworthy that even through the last difficult years of her illness, she seemed to work even harder on projects she cared about such as CASARA. She will be missed by many but not forgotten because she made a difference in the lives of many including her CASARA colleagues.

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