It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Patricia Friday, 61, of Couchiching First Nation, announces her passing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013.
Patricia was born May 27, 1951 in Seine River, Ont. to Boudreau and Jessie Friday.
Although she was called away too soon, she treasured each and every moment she shared with those around her. Her laughter will survive in our memories.
Being a strong woman, she was able to raise her children with a strong foundation to succeed. Throughout her life, she held a strong belief and passion for all that she did—and this shone through her smile and voice when she spoke.
Patricia held a strong belief in her traditional lifestyle and continued to celebrate life through travel, camping, and just spending time with family and friends. She travelled to various pow-wows in the areas of Ontario and Minnesota most of her life, where she was able to meet new friends and greet old ones.
In her later life, she was determined to advocate for the rejuvenation of our Ojibwe language by helping us learn through language camps, ceremony, education, and overall togetherness. She held great pride in her beliefs and wanted to ensure her children, grandchildren, and others had the ability to learn of their traditions.
Along with the celebration of her culture, Patricia loved excitement. She enjoyed playing Bingo and going to the casino when the opportunity arose.
Her laughter will extend from our thoughts with memories of a time when she was happy, healthy, and here.
Patricia loved her family wholeheartedly and this shone through her daily actions, words, and thoughts. No one was ever left to feel alone or unloved. She loved every part of her life, even though at times she struggled to be the support to all of those surrounding her. For this, she will never be forgotten.
Patricia will continue to live within our hearts, thoughts, dreams, and prayers from this moment to forever.
She was predeceased by her father, Boudreau Friday.
Mourning their tragic loss, Patricia is survived by her children, Tanya Mainville of Thunder Bay, Ont., Steve Mainville Jr. (Hilary) of Couchiching First Nation, Ont., Helen Cup of Fort Frances, Ont., Jonathan Mainville (Natalie) of Fort Frances, Ont., and Brenda Friday of Thunder Bay, Ont.; grandchildren, Vanessa, Mackenzie, and Madison Mainville, Donovan, Patrick, and Seth Cup, Cassandra Friday, and Cailynn Bruyere; and great-grandchild, Santana Sky-Cup.
Also surviving are her mother, Jessie Friday of Fort Frances, Ont.; siblings, Bernadette McIntyre, Cheryl Friday, Lorraine Friday, and Kathy Friday of Thunder Bay, Ont., Larry Friday and Terry Friday of Seine River First Nation, Ont., Dorothy Friday (Earl) of Fort Frances, Ont., and Louise Friday and Valerie Friday of Winnipeg, Man.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She also is survived by the father of her children, Steve Mainville Sr. of Couchiching First Nation, Ont.
A traditional burial ritual will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 at 10 a.m. at the multi-use facility at Couchiching First Nation, Ontario.
Elder Gilbert Smith will officiate, with burial in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery at Couchiching First Nation.
A wake will be held Friday evening at the multi-use facility at Couchiching First Nation.
The pallbearers will be John H. Lyons, Sheean McGuire, Joshua LeClair, Charles Friday, Wayne Ruby, and Peter Klyne.
The honourary pallbearers will be Bernadette McIntyre, Kathy Friday, Larry Friday, Dorothy Friday, Lorraine Friday, Louise Friday, Valerie Friday, Terry Friday, and Cheryl Friday.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association 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
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