My friend Stephanie Wilkie aka Mama Beaver

Stephanie Wilkie and I at the rock cut on "Range Day" in Fall 2010. Stephanie Wilkie, R.P.F. and mother of two beautiful girls and partner to Nathan Mueller has had a positive influence of my life. Steph represented determination and dedication to forestry and to her family.

We always had great chats over our cubicle wall at the Forest Service and on this particular range day up at Toad River we had a lot of fun and saw a lot of good range things including caribou and porcupine sightings ...

Steph really showed me what it was to love your family and to give pure and honest love to all. Steph was also the only professional musician in our band. Her band name was Mama Beaver. Following is a poem I wrote for Steph that was read at the celebration of life that was held for her in Ontario: And the mother mourns from where the children were born Lost to us here on earth for she undergoes her rebirth The skies turned gray when she started to fly away Reminding us to be strong and carefree To love the life we live and all of us her love she still doth give A memory in all our hearts though our bodies now must part She will always be close to you and me She will always be a reminder to live and love gracefully And just how does life change? When the universe’s order gets rearranged? I tell those whom I love and will forever more My heart is with them – rich or poor I urge my family and all of you, good friends That we must live life to the fullest of all our capable ends To love those around and share our joyous sound Of laughter and of kindness though at times it may blind us All of these fair things of which to us Stephanie brings I thank the creator and your god For allowing us who knew her, let us applaud For this woman to us you brought Although all our own hardships we each fought She was always light, kindness and humility And she will remain so in our hearts and souls for eternity Stephanie you are the only beaver in our band Who could play music and be patient with all our grand Foolishness and carrying on Yet you still shared with us your beautiful song ... “Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise Take these sunken eyes and learn to see All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free Blackbird fly Into the light of a dark black night ...” We are all better humans for having known you dear Stephanie May you rest in peace and may you forever be In our hearts and prayers and whatever means With us all always, on earth and in all of our sweet dreams. - Sonja, July 20th 2011 Stephanie passed away last July. It was a great honour to know her and learn from her. She is missed very much by those of us who continue walking the path.

Stephanie Wilkie on northern rangelands amongst prescribed fire and the Rockies. A beautiful spirit.