Kristy Leigh Knutson was born on the 18th of July, 1976 in Chilliwack. Her sudden, unexpected and devastating death occurred on August 14th, 2023 in Vancouver, and has left a gaping hole in so many hearts in Chilliwack, Vancouver and Whitehorse.

Kristy was with her Dad until she was seven; experiencing nature throughout those early summers, Kristy developed a deep love of the outdoors, especially if it was near water. This love of nature became a lifelong passion for her.

In 1982 life changed for her and her Dad with the addition of a step-Mom, and two older step-sisters. That era of her childhood ended in 1991 when a new step-Mom entered the picture with her two daughters, both younger than Kris. With this family and her Grandmother Christie in Vancouver, Kristy experienced life in the city. She spent her grade 11 year with her Uncle Scott and Aunt Anna in North Vancouver and holidays on the Christie Family property on Bowyer Island. Kristy absolutely loved the Island life the Christies offered her. She often told her Dad that she wanted to have her ashes returned there when she died.

After graduation in the late 1990's she worked at Mackenzie Fishing Lodge in the remote Chilcotin. She absolutely loved that as well!

In 2001, Kristy headed to the Yukon, and never came back. She found a place and lifestyle that sang to her heart, and she quickly decided to stay. She spent the winter of 2004 working and caring for sled dogs. She told the story of carrying a bloody moose's head back to camp. That was the kind of adventure she enjoyed!

Kristy became a Mom at the age of 29, in 2006. The girl who swore she would never have kids found something she had never imagined for herself. She told her Dad that she never imagined she could love someone as much as she did Finnean. She seemed to be an instinctual parent that could always find the silver lining on any cloud. With the help of Dad, Rick Sward, and Grandma Joyce and Pops, a beautiful little human became a reliable, intelligent and capable young man.

Kristy took a course that was required to become an EA (Educational Assistant) in the Yukon School District in 2009. Since 2011 she has worked with educationally challenged and special needs children in Whitehorse and has always done an exceptional job.

Kindness was synonymous with Kristy. She embodied this concept to her core. She was a good friend, kind person, loving daughter, amazing parent and compassionate soul! In any situation, you could trust Kristy to do what was right, just and fair!

She is survived by her son, Finnean Sward of Whitehorse, her father Gil Knutson of Chilliwack, BC; her mother, Jan Christie of Hedley, BC, and Uncles Scott and Graham and various cousins of Vancouver; Uncle George and Auntie Annette; life long friends Carrie, Laura and Neil of Chilliwack; step-mom Linda and step-sisters Megan and Lindsay; step-mom Annabelle and step-sisters Shelley and Stacey; Joyce, Tony (deceased), and Rick; Adam; Amelia, Jamie, Ciera, Owen and many colleagues and friends in Whitehorse and Dawson.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Chilliwack for friends and family at Atchelitz Hall at 6542 Lickman Road on September 17th from 1:00 p.m. To 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, packages of seeds will be available at the Celebration for you to plant in the spring in some place that could use brightening up, just as Kristy brightened up the world she was in.