A Whitehorse teacher is being remembered by friends as a dedicated educator and mother after she and her infant daughter died Monday from a suspected grizzly bear attack in the Mayo region.

Valérie Théorêt, 37, and her 10-month-old daughter, Adele Roesholt, were found dead near their family cabin in the Einarson Lake area, near the N.W.T. border, northeast of Mayo.

Théorêt’s husband, Gjermund Roesholt, was working on the trapline Monday before returning to the cabin at around 3 p.m., a release from the Yukon Coroner’s Service noted Tuesday.

Upon returning, he was charged by a grizzly bear about 100 metres away from the cabin, and was forced to shoot it dead.

A short time later, Roesholt came across the bodies of his wife and daughter.

The coroner believes the mother and daughter may have been out for a walk at the time, sometime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Théorêt taught Grade 6 French immersion and was a teacher at École Whitehorse Elementary, the Department of Education confirmed this morning.

On maternity leave, the mother had been in the area with her family for about the last three months, trapping around the lake.

She was also active in the Whitehorse community, playing soccer and singing in a local choir.

Initially from Quebec, Théorêt moved up to the Yukon and joined the Association-franco-yukonnaise (AFY) in 2005, said Executive Director Isabelle Salesse.

Reached this morning, Salesse told the Star her thoughts went out to the family and friends affected, including Roesholt.

Part of the reason the incident hits home for many people, she said, may be because the infant was involved too.

“Every time I met her, she was smiling and positive, and the baby was the same,” Salesse said.

“Last time I met her, I held her baby – so I relate to that; she was a part of my community.

“We are like a small village, a lot of people knew her, and she will be missed dearly.”

A one-time soccer teammate of Théorêt remembered her this morning as a “positive, friendly and energetic teammate, who always gave her best and was always eager to improve her soccer skills.”

Barbara Chamberlin is with the Whitehorse Community Choir, a group Théorêt sang in for a couple of years.

“We are very saddened by the news of her death,” Chamberlin wrote this morning, noting it is especially tragic as it involved her young daughter.

“She was a lovely person, and will be missed.”

Sue Harding, the president of the Yukon Teachers’ Association, said Théorêt was a “fabulous teacher.

“We’re just shocked; it’s so tragic,” Harding said this morning.

Théorêt will be remembered by her positivity and for being a “bright light in that school.”

Though Harding said she did not know her personally, the teacher was very well-liked by her students and parents, she added.

Another member of the choir was Michèle Markley, who recalled seeing the mother at a number of community events.

“I was very affected yesterday obviously; it was tragic,” Markley said this morning, recalling occasionally bumping into Théorêt on the ski trails at Mount McIntyre and at fairs around the city.

An active and involved community member, Markley also remembered seeing Théorêt proudly displaying fur work in years past – a sign of her passion for trapping.

“She looked like a happy woman who was fulfilled in her life.”

The choir is considering dedicating one of its performances in Théorêt’s memory.

Meanwhile, an Education department spokesperson shared a statement with the Star today. Michele Royle, a communications analyst, said Théorêt was a “valued educator.

“This tragedy weighs heavy on our hearts as a community, and in times such as these, we will come together to honour her memory and support each other,” the statement read in part.

“School communities in Yukon are closely connected,” it added, noting that the department will be offering support services across the Yukon for those students and staff who need it.

All members remembered her as a dedicated teacher, with one member of the choir recalling that her grandchildren attended École Whitehorse Elementary.

The ongoing investigation involves Mayo RCMP, Environment Yukon, the coroner and RCMP’s Forensic Identification Section.

An Environment department spokesperson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that conservation officers were involved, and the Yukon RCMP verified that investigators were on their way to the remote location as of Tuesday.

The coroner’s office will not be sharing any more information until it is ready to do so as the investigation continues, it said this morning.

A memorial display has been set up at the school for Théorêt and her daughter.

As well, the AFY will be hosting a session with the support of a psychotherapist and other activities Thursday.

It’s in efforts to “help start the mourning process,” Salesse explained, and is open to the public.

Those interested will be welcomed at the AFY’s office on 302 Strickland St. between 2:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday.