Maxine Victoria Perreault (Max), 64, of Couchiching First Nation, was called for an offer you can’t refuse. Like a warrior fighting her battle, she died an honoUrable death.
Cancer was her enemy; she battled until the end.
Born March 17, 1953 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. to her mother, Patricia Perreault (Grover), she was raised in her grandmother’s home by Florence Morrisseau (Perreault) and grandfather, Gilbert Perreault Sr.
In her younger life, she went to college for early childhood education and worked for the Fort Frances Children’s Centre directly with the children while raising her first-born child with the guidance of her grandparents in their home.
In her later years, and up until the last few months of life, she dedicated herself as a homemaker for the elders, assisting them in her community of Couchiching.
She enjoyed creating and working with wicker crafts, an occasional visit to casino, family gatherings, and visiting with her friends.
She did not like ignorance, racism, and injustice and believed in rights for all. She was a warrior to things she held dear to her heart. She loved to laugh, visit and watch her grandchildren play, and dance at pow-wows.
She loved her family, children and grandchildren, and friends dearly and was proud of them all.
Maxine would like to let you know that her work here is done. She has been called to a reunion with family and friends in a place from where there is no return. Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will dance, visit, and be a helper from above.
She left detailed instructions for her children, family, and friends to remember and celebrate her mission here, which has now been completed.
We want to let her know that she did a great, fantastic, and amazing job and wish her a safe journey. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, and her love for life, family, and friends.
She was a single mother of five and worked hard all her life until the very end. She touched and made a difference in the lives of many, and always gave and shared her best version of who she was. A kind-hearted and loving helper to many, she would never turn you away.
Maxine is survived by her children, Nicole Rene Perreault (Daniel Morrisseau), Misty Rose Perreault (Jason Kelly), Danah Irene Horton (Ronald Archie Bruyere), Dustin Jack Horton, and Vernon Horton Jr. (Chelsea Allen).
She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Trent and Alex Roe, Hayden and Ziigwan Paul, Rhaine Lee Fairbanks, Zakkary, Zoey, Zander, and Zara Bruyere, and Kayden, Arianna, and Thunder Horton; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Zyah Roe.
She also is survived by her siblings, Stephan Grover Sr. (Denise), Gilbert Grover (Agnes), Lloyd Grover, Chauncey Grover Jr., Timothy Grover, Peggy Grover, and Tina Grover (Will McGinnis); numerous nieces and nephews; and her B.F.F. whom she loved as a sister, Jackie Lizotte.
Maxine was predeceased by her mother, Patricia Perreault, and stepfather, Lyle Grover Sr.; sister, Ruthann; grandson, Nicholas Roe; granddaughters, Ryder Horton and Tyra-Ann Paul; grandparents, Florence and Gilbert Perreault Sr.; and aunts and uncles, Vernon (Chick) Perreault, Elaine Jourdain, Romona Perreault, and Val Perreault.
A traditional wake will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017 from 4 p.m. at the Couchiching First Nation multi-use facility, followed by a traditional service on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 at 10 a.m., with Elder Albert Hunter officiating.
Cremation will take place following the service and she will be buried at the Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery with her grandparents as she requested.
The pallbearers will be Trent Roe, Alex Roe, Daniel Morrisseau, Ron Bruyere, Jason Kelly, Dylan McGinnis, Clint Perreault, and Brian Martineau.
The honourary pallbearers will be Gilbert Perreault, Robert Perreault Sr., Steve Martineau, Will McGinnis, Jackie Lizotte, Eileen Jourdain, and Ida Linklater.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Cannabis Science Research Foundation c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
