Mary Jane Mainville passed away Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, peacefully in her home and surrounded by love, music, and the prayers of her family.
Mary Jane was born May 31, 1944 to the late Hector and Mary Mainville (nee Jourdain).
She attended St. Margaret’s Indian Residential School. At a young age, she was sent from Couchiching First Nation to Toronto, Ont., where she eventually met and married Joseph Rudolph (Rudy) Di Nova.
Mary Jane’s professional career was highlighted by her efforts as a native court worker with the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre, a job she enjoyed immensely and regretfully had to leave for health reasons.
She always was active in the community, giving a helping hand wherever needed, and had an informed interest in history and politics.
She also loved playing cards, going to Bingo, dancing (even up to two days before she left us), and listening to the endless supply of music she had collected over the years.
Mary Jane was predeceased by one daughter, Elaine Di Nova; brothers, Willard, Herman, and Vernon; sisters, Nora and Donalda “Dee”; and long-lost siblings, Melvin and Loretta.
She will be greatly missed by her children Joanne (Lila), Joseph (Wendy “Little White Dove”), and Daniel (Mary); her grandchildren, Peter “P.J.” (Michelle), Mathew, Eileen, Anthony, Joey, and Taryn; and great-granddaughter, Naomi.
She also will be deeply missed by her brother, Steve Mainville and sister, Valerie Mainville; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and neighbours.
A wake was held in her honour on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011] from 4 p.m. at the Couchiching Multi-Use Facility.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 at 10 a.m., with Fr. Francis Pudicherry and Elder Andrew Johnson officiating.
Mary Jane was laid to rest with her parents in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Couchiching First Nation at sunrise on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011.
The pallbearers were Joseph Lane, Mathew Lane, Dean Bethune, Darren Spoon, Andrew Easton, and Steve Mainville, Jr.
The honourary pallbearers were Peter Di Nova, Madeline Tucker, Rosie Spencer, Audrey Gilbeau, Eleanor Lockman, Leisha Mainville, Lori Mainville, Margaret Boyer, Louis “Smokey” Bruyere, Joanne Ogden, Joanne Swire, Delores “Happy” Tuck, Delores Cyrette, Mary Bombay, and Margaret Norris.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.