It is with sadness we announce the passing of Helen Geyshick, 73, of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., who passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
She was born June 17, 1933 in Lake Vermilion Reserve, Mn. Helen, along with her family, moved to Lac La Croix First Nation when she was very young.
Helen was united in marriage to Henry Geyshick in 1953.
She was a person who held traditional beliefs and customs, and lived her life the same way. During her early years, she worked as a midwife delivering babies for many families in her community.
Helen also loved working the trap line with her husband, Henry. Besides trapping, she was an avid camper, and enjoyed fishing and hunting with her family and at times alone.
She also was a herbalist all of her life and loved to help people in need.
Helen was a caring and attentive mother and grandmother. She had a strong, close knit bond with her family and supported everything they did. She will be missed very much by her family and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, William and Nora LaBott; husband, Henry Geyshick; two sons, Eugene Geyshick (in infancy) and John Geyshick; granddaughter, Alexis Amyotte (in infancy) and grandson, Lance Geyshick; one brother, William Labott; and five sisters, Annie Ottertail, Lizzie Ottertail, Jenny Ophium, Clara Ottertail, and Mary Jourdain.
Helen is survived by six sons, Gordy Geyshick and wife, Karen, Danny Geyshick and wife, Brenda, Randy Geyshick and wife, Carol, Brendon Geyshick and wife, Corrine, and Rodney Geyshick, all of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., and David Amyotte and wife, Michele, of Maitland, Ont.; two daughters, Margaret Ottertail and husband, Kalvin, of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont. and Lorraine Calder of Fort Frances, Ont.; 25 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.
A traditional burial ritual was held Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006 in the morning at the family residence in Lac La Croix First Nation. Interment took place in the family plot in Lac La Croix First Nation Cemetery.
A wake was held on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 at the family residence in Lac La Croix First Nation.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 655, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9, or to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.