It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Virginia Florence Kabatay, who began her journey to the spirit world on March 20, 2026, at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving family at Atikokan General Hospital.
Virginia was born on March 30, 1939, in Seine River First Nation to her parents, Ben and Madeline Johnson (née Jourdain). She lived a life deeply rooted in her family and the land and blessed to see her fifth generation.
Virginia loved her traditional way of life and spent much of her time out on the land. She was known for smoking meat, setting nets, and providing for her family through trapping, hunting, fishing, and berry picking. She took great pride in wild rice harvesting — where she and Ben were known to dominate the rice fields — as well as making maple syrup and sugar and drying blueberries. These were more than skills; they were teachings she carried and shared with those around her. She was our hunter and our berry picker.
She worked for many years as a cook at the Seine River Arcade and at Tiptop Lodge on Sanford Lake, where she and Benny created lasting memories and brought their granddaughter Tamara to spend summers with them. Virginia also had a deep love for music and enjoyed attending concerts, especially her old-time country favourites. She fondly shared the story of meeting George Jones in Fort Frances, when he asked her, “what are you doing after the show?” — a memory that always brought laughter.
Virginia will be deeply missed by her children Susan (Steve), Jeff (Janet), Glen, Gerald (Veronica), and Floyd “Jason.” She also held a special place in her heart for her daughters-in-law Tania and Veronica, and for Tanisha, her granddaughter and pride and joy. She will be lovingly remembered by her special cousin Eleanor Lockman; special nieces Norma and Sarah; special sister-in-law Agnes; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great granddaughter, extended family, special dog Tyrion and community members whose lives she touched.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents; her siblings Margaret, Agnes, Louise, and Jack; her children Sandra Denise, Anita Lynn, Clayton Philip, Anthony Allan “Buck”, and Norman Wesley; and her partner Ben Kabatay.
She will be remembered for her strength, her humour, her deep love for her family, and the way she made everyone feel cared for. She was the heart of her family — the one who held everyone together and passed down her knowledge, her stories, and her love.
In keeping with our teachings, we hold close the understanding that this is not a goodbye, but a “see you later.” Her spirit lives on in the land, the water, and within all of us who carry her teachings forward.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Rainycrest Long-Term Care and Atikokan General Hospital for the care and compassion they showed her in her final days.
She will be forever loved and never forgotten.
A traditional wake will be held at Seine River Gymnasium on Wednesday, March 25, at 4:00 p.m. with service on the following day, March 26, at 10:00 a.m. Elder Ken Kakacaway officiating.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
