It probably couldn't have been a better night for 30 or so people to gather around a bonfire and share memories of their "warrior princess” friend.

A memorial was held Sunday evening outside Kim Blackwell's former home on Squatter's Row to remember the former Yukoner's life.

Blackwell, who left the territory in 1993, was found murdered at her Costa Rica farm earlier this year.

And while an investigation is underway into her death, last night's gathering focused on her life and the times she shared with many Yukoners and one friend who travelled from Ontario for the event.

"It was a good night. It was a very laid-back affair,” long-time friend Barbara Chamberlin said today.

Both the laughter and sadness of the evening brought people together as they remembered Blackwell for her feisty personality, fun and a peaceful side she had as well.

As Arlin McFarlane said, many remembered the "warrior princess” as someone who had a gift in caring for animals.

One friend recalled driving with Blackwell one day when they came across a dead squirrel on the road. Blackwell stopped the car, got out and moved the animal's carcass to a softer piece of ground on the side.

Others remembered the "fairy sloth mother” who adopted a sloth whose mother had died, raising it and caring for it.

In pictures McFarlane saw, Blackwell was carrying around the animal like a child, the sloth's arms wrapped around Blackwell.

It was agreed that Blackwell lived a life of great vigour and resourcefulness, heading feet first into whatever activity she was part of, McFarlane said.

Frostbite Music Society treasurer Michael Bellon recalled Blackwell's involvement with the festival one year that saw her helping out with hospitality. In setting up a lounge area, Blackwell provided a theme for each area of the space, something Bellon hasn't seen since.

Another year, she won the volunteer of the year award for her work on community plays.

And even when she was living in a tent, she would come out to the bar dressed in silk, exuding a "strong, vibrant female sexuality,” McFarlane said.

Eventually building her own home, a friend who helped her out remembered coming over to check things out before the building inspector gave their final approval for Blackwell to live there.

There were so many nails in the floor, her friend commented that it would likely pass a mining inspection, it was so well-built.

Others remembered Blackwell's "fierce temper and apologetic heart”.

She also didn't mind sharing her thoughts on her friends' techniques with a chainsaw, some getting her full approval, others not having quite the right technique.

And then there were the quotes that stood out in many memories:

• "If I ever had a kid, I'd dress him in tinfoil”;

• "When I grow up, I want to live in the savage”; and to one friend

• "If you outlive (me, I) want tents on hills and parties.”

With Blackwell's body just being released to her family, another ceremony is planned for later this year in the Yukon when her brother arrives to spread her ashes.

The ashes will be sent up in a rocket to be spread over the ground, Chamberlin said, noting the plan for the rocket is part of an inside joke that she wasn't part of.