For the first time in almost half a century, neither the territorial government nor the legislative assembly office will have Helen Fitzsimmons on their roster of longtime, dedicated contributors.

Helen Fitzsimmons, the longest-serving civil servant in the Yukon government, has retired.

Her final job was as director of Administration, Finance, and Systems, Yukon Legislative Assembly Office.

A veritable history book of past and current Yukon political figures, family members and friends packed the chamber’s visitors’ gallery for a recognition event held on the afternoon of April 27, the final day of the spring sitting.

“I really did think there would only be a few people here,” Fitzsimmons said, after having been invited onto the floor as a special guest to speak.

“I feel privileged to be able to speak in this assembly, and it is truly an honour to receive these tributes,” she said of remarks MLAs had made moments earlier.

“It seems like only yesterday that I was walking into this building on my first day of work in June 1978. I have seen many changes over those years, and cannot believe how fast the time has flown by.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the 21 years I have worked with the legislative assembly and thank Patrick Michael (a former longtime clerk of the House) for hiring me and believing I could do the job.

“I would also like to thank his successors, Floyd McCormick and (current clerk) Dan Cable, who continued to believe in me and supported whatever ideas I came up with — and I came up with lots.”

Fitzsimmons said she felt “so fortunate to have been part of such an incredible team, and I can’t believe how much we have accomplished. Thank you for your support and encouragement.”

Her mother couldn’t attend the event, but her 93-year-old father made it.

“My parents taught all their children to work so hard that your employer doesn’t think you are replaceable,” Fitzsimmons said. “I think I honoured their wishes.

“To each and every one of you, thank you again. It has been an incredible journey.”

Speaker Jeremy Harper said when he arrived in 2021 “as the new guy from Pelly, I met Helen, and was impressed by how much she knew about everything to do with the legislative assembly operations.

“It was then that I discovered that she had been an employee of the government for 44 years at that point. I thought to myself that Helen has worked in government longer than I have been alive, and she looks great.

“There is hope for me yet if I can get through this job and come out the other end as fit and as healthy as Helen,” Harper said.

“I just want to say thank you, Helen, for your dedication, your passion, your perseverance, your guidance, your respect for others, your professionalism, and, most of all, the leadership you have shown throughout your entire 46-year career.

“Helen, you have always been a rock to cling to for this assembly during its many storms, and you will be greatly missed in our workspace. I know that there are many co-workers’ lives and hearts that you have touched through your positive light as you put a smile on their faces.”

Former premier Sandy Silver noted “the who’s who of Yukon are here today, and for good reason, as we sit here with the honour of paying tribute to Helen Fitzsimmons.

“She is an icon of public service and a dear friend. Sadly, for us, although certainly exciting for her, Helen will be retiring this year, after an extremely impressive career spanning more than four decades — as of this summer, 46 years of service. She started when she was two.”

Having joined the government immediately out of high school, Fitzsimmons’ first position was working in health care, collecting premiums for Yukoners and businesses.

She then moved to the realty services branch at the Department of Highways and Public Works, before starting in the legislative assembly office in 2002.

“According to Helen, the key to her success and longevity is building positive relationships — check; while negotiating with flair — check; leading others — absolutely; and also knowing when and how to say no,” said Silver.

“ ... It has certainly been an honour for all of the MLAs to have her assistance.”

Opposition Leader Currie Dixon referenced “unequivocal common themes that emerged that I want to share today.

“First of all, to her person, Helen’s sunny attitude, her kindness, and her generosity were commented on by everybody. One former MLA described her as a cheerful, bright light,” Dixon said.

“Another former colleague called her one of the most kind and generous people in the world. Her sense of humour was top of mind for many as well and, Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more.

“Working so closely with a bunch of politicians of different parties at different times during different governments has meant that Helen has been at the absolute centre of plenty of conflict,” Dixon noted.

“Despite that, I don’t think a single one of us can point to a time that Helen has been anything less than professional, positive, and anything less than a sunny disposition.

“The second key theme on the topic of Helen was that she is so incredible at getting things done. If you have ever needed anything done in the Yukon government, Helen is the first one who we all go to.”

NDP Leader Kate White noted that Fitzsimmons’ time in the public service “spans my lifetime, and her work in this assembly has spanned more than a few governments.

“I spent a fair amount of time thinking about Helen and the impact that she has had on me and on all of my colleagues, both past and present. The work of a legislative assembly office is vast, and there are many moving parts, both big and small, and they all play important roles — all important different roles — and they’re all very critical,” White said.

She also expressed gratitude for Fitzsimmons’ support to the NDP caucus at the times of former leader Todd Hardy’s death from leukemia in 2010, and MLA Steve Cardiff’s 2011 passing after a highway collision south of Whitehorse.

“Helen, thank you for the kindness that you have always shown, for the care and the guidance that you have supported Todd and his family, in his battle with cancer, or how, without your support and your steely grace, it would have been impossible to navigate the many challenges that our very small team faced when Steve suddenly died in a workplace accident,” White said.

“You helped pick up the pieces, and you shielded Liz (NDP leader Hanson) from the worst of it.

“These tremendous losses were made easier by your actions — crying twice in one day,” White said

“I want people to get a sense of you behind the scenes because these are examples of the core of you — the kindness and the compassion that you have always shown in crisis situations and crisis interventions for others in this House — past and present — that most will never know about but for which we are all very grateful.”