May Pitchenese

To love her, you had to know her. We were so honoured and blessed to have a mother like her.

May was born at the old settlement of Wabigoon Lake First Nation to her parents Jane Chief and Edgar Watts. She had lived in the area all her life, marrying her husband Paul Pitchenese and going on to have nine children.

She was most happiest with her family close by, holidays were her favourite. Loved cooking, gardening, picking berries, wild rice, bingos. Planted just every flower there was. Loved to travel to powwows, making new friends as well meeting up with old friends. Playing rummy with grandson Otis, he could never beat her. With family at her side, she went peacefully and very much loved.

May is survived by children, Paul, Joe (Pat), Albert, Esther, Mary-Rose, William, Yvonne (Don) Louie and Anita.

Grandchildren, Shayne (Lana), Tyson (Michelle), Otis, Candace, Jackie, Conan (Allison), Joshua (Emma), Jessica (Lennon), Tanisha, Santana, Nick (Ashley), Donavan, Montana and Debbie.

Great grandchildren, Jordan, Jasmine, Jamison, Justice, Shannon, Riley, Tanisha, Caleb, Jerome, Cameron, Morales, Noonshize, Cody, Carly, Shantelle, Brody. One sister in Alberta, Louise Bertrand (Zenon). Numerous nieces and nephews and foster children, too many to name but they were well loved.

Predeceased by mother Jane, father Edgar, husband Paul Pitchenese, brothers Frank and David Watts, brothers John and George Kooshet, sister Ida Kooshet and brother Birdie Parenteau.

A very special thank you to Dr. Viherjoki for his excellent care in the last three years. All the nurses that had May as their patient; especially Shelly, Lisa and Jodi from Community Care Access Centre (CCAC).

To Bob Savage, Dryden Community Funeral Home for letting her family fulfill her wishes.

Thank you to the Wabigoon Lake First Nation Band Office, the Wabigoon Lake Community Store, Community members; especially the guys who donated the fish for the feast. To the cooks Nancy, Debbie, Cori, Shiela, Stephanie, Amanda, Megan, Crystal, Staci, Liz Louie and Vanessa.

To all the people who sent donations and travelled from out of town. If we forgot to mention anyone we didn’t mean to.

The family will always remember and treasure your love and kindness, from the bottom of our hearts.

Miigwetch

Pitchenese Family