MARY ELLEN JOURDAIN

Mary Ellen Jourdain, 81, of Rainycrest Home for Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at her residence Friday, Oct. 5, 2001. She was born March 27, 1920 at Basswood Lake, Mn.
Mary Ellen had worked at Campbell’s Cabins for 30 years. She was a hard worker and a very independent woman. She was an excellent quilt and rug maker. She also liked sewing, doing yard work, setting nets, and snaring rabbits.
She also was known as quite a marksman with her slingshot.
Above all, her family was important to her and she was very fond of her grandchildren.
Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Andrew Jourdain Sr., who predeceased her Sept. 11, 1986. She also was predeceased by two sons, Paul and Norman; one brother, William P. Labott; and three sisters, Annie Ottertail, Lizzie Ottertail, and Jennie Ophiem.
She is survived by her 11 children, Steve (Iris) of Melborne, Fla., Lillian (John Jr.) Boshey of Tower, Mn., Josephine (Edward Sr.) Atatise of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., Nora Jourdain and special friend, Jim Atatise, of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., Angus (Janice) of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., Leon (Elaine) of Thunder Bay, Ont., Joan Marie of Fort Frances, Ont., Larry (Corrine) of Fort Frances, Ont., Gordon (Priscilla) of Thunder Bay, Ont., Andrew (Marietta) of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., and Isobel (Lewis) Yesno of Thunder Bay.
Also surviving are 31 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Mary Pat, who is 109 years of age from Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont.; two sisters, Clara (George) Ottertail of Fort Frances, Ont., and Helen Geyshick of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A traditional funeral was held Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001 at 10 a.m. at Mary Ellen’s residence at Lac La Croix First Nation. Interment took place in the Lac La Croix First Nation Cemetery.
A funeral wake was held Monday, Oct. 8, 2001 at Lac La Croix First Nation.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Children’s Christmas Fund at Lac La Croix First Nation, c/o Josephine Atatise, Box 640, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9, or to the Alzheimer’s Society, Box 837, Kenora, Ont., P9N 4B5.