MARIE JANETTE VERAN

Mikinaakoons

A Tribute to My Grandma

On the morning of her 87th birthday, our family was forever changed. My grandma — the heart and soul of our family, our matriarch — suffered a terrible brain bleed. And though the world may have kept turning, mine stopped.

She was the most caring, kind, patient, and compassionate person I have ever known. She wasn’t just my grandma — she was my best friend. The one I could always turn to, the one who understood without needing many words, the one whose love never wavered. My heart will never be the same without her in it.

I was so blessed to have had so many years with her. And while I’m endlessly grateful, I also took for granted that there would be more time. More moments. More memories. More stories. I still had so much to learn from her — about our family, our history, and about life. There were things I didn’t get to say, and questions I never got to ask. That’s the hardest part.

She taught me so much — not just in words, but in the way she lived. With grace. With strength. With unconditional love. She showed me how to be patient, how to listen, how to care deeply for others. She made everyone feel important, seen, and loved.

Grandma, I hope you are at peace now — reunited with your loved ones, especially your three boys who went before you. I pray you’re wrapped in their arms and surrounded by love. You deserve that and more.

You were so beautiful — inside and out. I will carry you in my heart for the rest of my life. I miss you deeply, and I always will. Words could never fully explain what you mean to me. But I hope you knew. I hope you still do.

Thank you for everything. For the time, the love, the laughs, the wisdom. I love you forever, Grandma.

Marie or Sis, as most of us called her, had a life filled with lows and highs. At the age of 9 she lost her three brothers and grandfather in a drowning accident, she lost all three of her sons, her and her Dad escaped a pack of wolves while out checking traps, she went to school on the school car at Rocky Inlet and stayed with her Aunt Suzie. She had many careers, she helped out on her Mom and Dad’s fisheries at French Point Rainy Lake and where she spent as much time as she could there and always considered “up the lake” as home, worked at Campbell’s Cabins at Lac La Croix with her Aunty Ann, at Helliar’s Resort and Gills in Sioux Narrow, she was a cook at Coppen’s Resort while living at Bears Pass, she planted trees for the MNR, helped run the canteen at the Stratton Sales Barn with her sisters, but the career that she was most noted for was her Perogy prowess, she made thousands of perogies that relatives and the community of Atikokan enjoyed for years. 

Marie is survived by her husband Alfred of 64 years; her beloved granddaughter Taylor (Michael); her much loved daughter-in-law Cindy (Chris); sisters Lorraine (Joe), LaVerne (Bill), Roberta (Randy deceased), Dorothy (Don); in-laws Alverne, Sandy, Beverly, Joe and Jack (Evelyn); nephews Kelvin, Jim, Don (Hoot), Mike, Cuffy, Rob. Shawn, Allan, Jason, Sean, Sheldon, Jarrod; nieces Donna, Laura, Tammy, Tana, Brandy, Bonnie, Carolyn, Tracy, Evelyn, Terry, Candace, Raylene and families.

Predeceased by her sons Robert, Patrick and Danny; her Mom Maude and Dad Bob; brothers Bobby, Harvey and Bertie; niece Wanda; nephew Steve; in-laws Alfred sr. and Mary Veran; brother-in-law Ray; sisters-in-law Sharon and Deloris; nephews Michael, Rick, Paul, Lonnie and Mark; and niece Kelly.

A celebration of a life well-loved will be held Sunday, September 14, at the Atikokan Legion Branch #145, 115 O’Brien Street at 11 a.m. where we ask you to join us for a cup of coffee or tea, a bowl of soup and bannock or a sandwich and other goodies, let’s visit and tell stories and celebrate Marie.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Atikokan Hospital, Atikokan Legion or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.