OZAAWI-MAKOONS

AGNES BENEDIX (HANDORGAN)
MOOZ DODEM (MOOSE CLAN)
It is with great sadness that the family of Agnes Benedix (Handorgan) announces her sudden passing on Tuesday, March 7, 2006.
Agnes was born Feb. 2, 1946 in Rainy River, Ont. to the late William and Clara Handorgan. She spent the early years of her life out at their traditional community at Naongashiing (Sandpoint) on Lake of the Woods.
She attended school in Kenora, Ont. from the age of five until 18.
Agnes was united in marriage to Ronald Strand and had three daughters. At a later date, she met Melvin Kavanaugh and they had one daughter. She met John Benedix afterwards, with whom she had one daughter and married in June, 1982.
In 1979, Agnes completed her Registered Nursing Assistant certificate. She worked at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. for four years. In 1989, she started working in the social work field at Faye Peterson Transition House in Thunder Bay, Ont.
In 1993, she returned to her home community to work as a family service worker for the First Nation. She was employed for 13 years as an F.S.W. until the date of her passing.
She was predeceased by her parents, William and Clara Handorgan; one daughter, Candace Strand; and one brother, Bernard Handorgan.
Agnes is survived by four daughters, Tina Strand of Crookston, Mn., Carol Johnson of Thief River Falls, Mn., Joline White of Winnipeg, Man., and Amy Big George of Rainy River, Ont.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are three sisters, Gladys DeBungie of Manitou First Nation, Ont., Margaret Yerxa, and Rose and husband, Clifford Tuesday, all of Big Island First Nation, Ont.; two brothers, Myers Handorgan (Marion) and Robert Handorgan (Joanne), of Big Island First Nation, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A traditional burial ritual was held Sunday, March 12, 200, at Megwebines School at Big Island First Nation. Elder Fred Kelly will officiate, with interment in Big Island First Nation Cemetery.
A wake was held Saturday evening at the Megwebines School in Big Island First Nation.
The pallbearers were Garnet Comegan, Dennis Big George, Robert Morrison, Wesley Big George, Chris Big George, and Elvis Adams.
The honourary pallbearers were Clifford Tuesday Sr., Robert Handorgan, Myers Handorgan, Reggie Morrison, and Makade-Ginew (James Handorgan).
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made either to La Verendrye General Hospital, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont. P9A 2B7 or to the charity of your choice c/o Rainy River Funeral Home, Box 694, Rainy River, Ont., P0W 1L0.
Agnes was a woman of amazing character and strength. Her spirit drew family and friends together, to laugh, to find humour and beauty in the simplest things, and, above all, to love each other.
Her grandchildren adored her, and she kept each and every one of them in a special place in her heart. They were the ones to make her shine and reveal all the wonderful qualities that made her such an incredible woman.
Agnes was close to all of her siblings, and she enjoyed spending time with each of them for her own special reasons.
She also loved spending time finding the peace and beauty that nature offers us, and she had her own special places where she would go to for her prayers and offering of tobacco.
Agnes had a very kind and generous heart. She always went out of her way to help others, especially in her work with families and children. Agnes gave her love and opened her heart and that was returned to her by her friends and family.
She will be greatly missed by those that love her, and she will always live in a special place in our heart.