Denise Marie Standingready

Denise leaves to mourn her beloved children, David Gordon Standingready ñ Acoose (Sarah Pelletier), Drake Winston Stonechild (Angel Severight), Noralee Standingready (Chris Spencer), Derrick James Stonechild, Gordon John Stonechild, Amanda Dawn Standingready (Mike McNabb) and Colin Rae Stonechild. Denise also leaves to morn her step-children Tracy Shore and Tyronne Southwind. Denise was blessed with seven grandchildren who brought joy to heart, Trayten, Kaylee, Lamonte, Drayann, Drayton, Draylynn, Winston and Mikayla. Denise is survived by her siblings Donna Standingready ñ Luxton (Mike Luxton), Leroy Standingready, Tina Standingready, Wendy Deschambault and Michelle Deschambault (Larry Godfrey). Denise is also survived by her companion Dayton Rope plus numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends too numerous to mention.

Denise grew up on farms and ranches as a child with her parents and her three siblings. Denise took piano lessons, was a Brownie and an Army Cadet. Denise joined the Regina Dolphins Swim Club and went on to win the provincial championship and came third in the Western Finals that included the three prairie provinces and three states. Denise and her late husband Drake Stonechild raised their children on the Peepeekisis First Nation Reserve. Denise was a full time mother and homemaker. She was a self- taught mechanic and great hunter. She helped support her family by hunting with her husband. She also planted a garden each spring and picked all kinds of berries for the winter months. In essence, Denise and her late husband and children lived off the land and survived in a good way. When her children were all in school, Denise enrolled in classes in Fort QuíAppelle to complete her grade XII. Denise was proud to acknowledge that she hitch hiked to Fort QuíAppelle for classes each day and was never late or missed a class. Denise later enrolled in classes at the Indian Federated College but made a choice to work to help support her growing family. Denise's many occupations included being a house keeper, front desk clerk, cook, baker, customer service representative, and telephone marketer. Denise spent this past summer living in a tent in her mother's back yard. It was during this time Denise told her mother where she would like to be laid to rest and what favourite songs and scriptures she would like at her funeral. Denise imparted oral history of her journey to the other side when she was pronounced not living at the hospital last November. She was not afraid of death and said it was so beautiful. Denise was noted for providing practical help and was a care giver. She was a very spiritual woman and daily prayed to her Creator and Lord. When reading her daily devotionals she would often tell her mother with excitement in her voice saying "Mom this is a good one, read it and tell me what you think." Denise would often tell her children to "Love one another and learn to forgive with a good heart and mean it."

Denise's wake will be held Friday, September 30, 2011 in the community hall on the White Bear First Nation Reserve, Carlyle, Saskatchewan. The funeral is on Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. with burial beside her dad as she requested.The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses who worked so hard to revive Denise at the Pasqua Hospital on this fateful day she left us. The kids say "goodbye mom. We love you, till we meet again." Good bye my darling baby from mom on this side till we meet again. Ekosi.

Arrangemenys in care of the Orsted Funeral Home (Carlyle)