DONALDA ROSEANNE ‘DEE’ MAINVILLE
Donalda Roseanne “Dee” Mainville, 70, of 113 Jourdain Cres., Couchiching First Nation, Ont., passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2008 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. with her family by her side.
She was born Aug. 1, 1937 in Fort Frances to the late Hector and Mary Mainville. Dee was a survivor of St. Margaret’s Indian Residential School that she attended as a child.
At an early age, she began babysitting for different families and was known as “Little Mother.” She always valued education and had wanted to be a teacher.
Dee worked as a cook at hotels in Fort Frances and at tourist camps in the local area. She also loved to play cards and Bingo with her family and friends.
During the summer months, she also enjoyed her garden.
Dee retained much of Couchiching’s oral history and took pride in passing down stories to her family and acquaintances. She also took great pride in blending Catholic religion with her own Anishinaabe culture.
Her family will always remember her saying, “I’m so proud of my children’s accomplishments and their willingness to try.” Dee will be dearly missed by her family and many friends that knew her.
Dee leaves behind her husband, Louis Mainville of Couchiching First Nation, Ont.; two sons, Mike Mainville and wife, Debbie, of Oliver, B.C., and Tim “Kip” Mainville and Charla of Couchiching First Nation, Ont.; four daughters, Colleen and husband, Gilbert Perreault, and Leisha Mainville, all of Couchiching First Nation, Ont., Virginia “Ginny” Mainville and her dog, Tessa, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Sara Mainville and partner, Tracy Morningstar, of Mississauga First Nation.
Donalda cherished her grandchildren, Clinton (Leanne), Jason (Verna), Brent (Beulah), Ian (Amanda), Darren (Alonia), David, Duane, Rachel (Anthony), Dallas (Katherine), Devon, Ashley (Koos), Kylee (Jay), Andrew (Ashley), Courtney, Alex (Dana), Dylan (Becca), Michael, Jessica, Elizabeth, Faron, Marcy, and Marley; and cherished her great-grandchildren, Jacob-Ty, Dennis (Ashley), Tanner, Desiree, Callie, Damon, Brent Jr., Jordan, Alexis, Kadence, Katie, Justin, Larissa, Ander, Kyler, Kamryn, Larissa, and newest additions to the family, Neil, Ashden, and Sophia.
She also is survived by one brother, Steve Mainville of Couchiching First Nation, Ont., two sisters, Mary Jane Mainville of Couchiching First Nation, Ont., and Valerie Mainville of Albuquerque, N.M.; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by one daughter, Luanne; three brothers, Willard, Vernon, and Herman Mainville; and one sister, Nora.
A wake was held Monday evening, March 10, 2008 at the Bingo Hall in Couchiching First Nation, with prayers/rosary at 7 p.m.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Bingo Hall in Couchiching First Nation, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Cremation took place in International Falls, Mn.
Interment will take place in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Couchiching First Nation at a later date.
The pallbearers were Dee’s grandsons, Clint Perreault, Dylan Mainville, Andrew Easton, Alex Bruyere, Jason Perreault, Brent Perreault, Ian Perreault, and Michael Mainville.
The honourary pallbearers were Garth Lockman, Glenny Mainville, Steve Mainville Jr., Wes Smith, Duane Allen, Brenda Helder, Gail Belluz, Melvina Morrisseau, Lorna Baker, and Mackie Mainville.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the “Just Imagine” campaign at La Verendrye General Hospital, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7 or the Canadian Diabetes Association, 501-200 South Syndicate Ave., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7E 1C9, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
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