Dibishko-Anung, Makwa ododeman
The Hunter family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our mom, grandmother, auntie, sister, and, friend as she prepares for her final journey into the spirit-world. Tammy passed away at Riverside Hospital in Fort Frances on February 6, 2022, after a long illness.
Tammy was born on September 14, 1956, to Donald and Patricia Lagoo in International Falls, Minn. She was raised in the small town of Ranier, Minn., with her family and close-knit community. She spent her childhood being a part of small-town life, swimming and enjoying life at Ranier and City Beach and spending many days on Rainy Lake. She attended elementary and secondary school in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School.
She was predeceased on the Lagoo side by her parents Donald Lagoo Sr. and Patricia Lagoo; her paternal grandparents Sylvester and Viola Lagoo; her maternal grandparents Robert Moorman and Helen Maurstad; her aunt Grace Lagoo, who died at birth; and her youngest brother Benjamin; uncles Norman Maurstad and Bob Moorman. On the Hunter side, she was predeceased by her former in-laws Albert Hunter Sr. and Bella Hunter; Abe Hunter, Lucy Brown, Faye Hunter, Paul Hunter, and Arthur Hunter (dad’s brothers). On the Dickson side, she was predeceased by former in-laws Russell and Grace Dickson. She was also predeceased by adopted grandson Kasper Kelly.
She is survived by her children Andrew (Chelsea) of Vancouver B.C., Graham (Courtney), Emily (Chris), Katie Dickson (Doug) all of Fort Frances, and, Joey (Mitch) of Couchiching FN, adopted son Brad Green and family (Fargo, N.D.), and Nitasha Bryant of Fort Frances. She is survived by 16 grandchildren Andie, Morgan, Myla, Riley, Brady, Bryce, Layla, Raegan, Avery, Bella, Sophia, Charlie, Finley, Graham, Tammy and adopted grandson Elijah Indian (Ashanti) and one great-grandchild Jeremiah Indian of Shoal Lake FN. Tamara is also survived by her siblings Donald, Jr., Bonnie and Carrie and their families, including her many nieces and nephews on all sides of her large extended families; by her aunts Carol P. Lagoo and Grace DeLauriea; and her uncle Pete Lagoo and families. She is also survived by Albert Hunter Jr. and Steve Dickson and in-laws; Robert and Cathy Perreault; as well as her long-time companion, her beloved dog Ginger.
She will also be greatly missed by her brothers and sisters-in-law Gloria, Bob (Suzie), Lorraine, Doreen (Ray), Irene, Sarah, Joe, and Art (Melanie); and her sisters-in-spirit Sandra Indian and Peggy Martineau.
Tammy was a kind, loving and compassionate person. She took in misfits, orphans, and those who just needed a mom or a friend and we welcomed them all into our family as equals. This is who she was. She didn’t judge anyone, no matter how they looked or lived. She was able to reach people with her down-to-earth way and her endless amount of love and generosity. She was “Gangy” to all her grandkids and was so deeply loved by them all. She resided in Couchiching for the past eight years with Joey and Mitch and their kids, including Andie. They will always cherish the gift of having “Gangy” around every day, spending everyday life with her, at family gatherings, celebrations and birthdays and daily visits with Sophia, Charlie and baby Tammy. She was such a beautiful gift to her grandkids and it was a an even greater gift to have “Gangy” in their lives daily.
Tamara embraced her Anishinaabe life with her family. She was Anishinaabe-kwe. She supported her children and grandchildren in living the Anishinaabe way. She was enrolled in the White Earth Reservation in Minn., and was a proud member of Rainy River First Nations.
Like many, she faced personal struggles and dealt with them in a good way through her Anishinaabeg culture. This is the life she loved.
Pallbearers will be Art Hunter, Gerry Hunter, Morgan Perreault, Brian Martineau, Elijah Indian, Vaughn Wilson, and Chris McPherson.
Honourary pallbearers will be her BFFs Sandra Indian, Peggy Martineau and her many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation and services will be restricted to immediate and extended family, pallbearers, and by invitation only due to COVID prevalence.
Visitation took place on Sunday, February 13, 2022, from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., and funeral services took place on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. both at Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, Ont. Tammy will be laid to rest next to her in-laws Albert and Bella Hunter in Manitou Rapids. Elder Gilbert Smith will conduct traditional Anishinaabeg funeral rites.
