Born on May 21, 1936 – November 6, 2019
The family of Mary Kelly, Kagagesegeg sadly announces the passing of our beloved Mother on Wednesday, November 6th at Lake of the Woods Hospital. A Traditional funeral service was held on Sunday, November 10, 2019, Officiated by Elder Fred Kelly at the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation.
Mary was surrounded by her loving family as she travelled onto the spirit world. With all our hearts she will be dearly missed. She took pride in being a mom, grandma, great grandma and an auntie to many.
She is survived by her children Tara Singleton (Keith), David ‘Charlie’ Kelly (Colleen), Debbie Paypompee (Terry) and Kathy Kishiqueb (Dave); her granddaughters Karrah Kelly and Jody Smith (Dwayne) Chelsea and grandsons Mason and Jason Paypompee (Nikkol), Jonathan Bob and Robert ‘Greg’ Kelly. Her precious great grandchildren Kalistah, Travis Jr., Lily, Dwayne JR ‘DJ, Football’, Sebastian and her best pal granddaughter Cadence. Many nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly.
Mary is greeted by her loving parents the late Harry and Mary Kelly of Lake of the Woods, ON. She joins her late siblings, Colin (Juanita), George, Edward ‘Eddy’ (Dorothy), Chief Robert ‘Bobby’ (Deloris), Jim H. (Corrine), John Jim (Catherine), Alice Hoard (Danny) nee Kelly and Victoria Kelly.
Mary was a very dedicated fan and went to extreme lengths to watch her favorite curling, academy award shows and Miss Universe. She enjoyed sitting by the fire, watching the Lakers Baseball Team and was an admirer of the Royal Family never missed a royal wedding, enjoyed crossword puzzles and was an avid reader of the Hello magazine. She was passionate about fishing and entering fishing tournaments, she was known as the Walleye Queen and always out fished her children. Rice picking, blueberry picking, and garage sales were also one of her passions. She loved listening to her favourite classic country singers, travelling to pow-wows watching her son sing and daughter dance. She was invested in stock piling fabrics and in turn made quilted blankets. She truly enjoyed and loved her visits with family and friends. Mary’s legacy leaves behind her teachings to always put children and family first.
Mary was born on Treaty Day, as a child Mary showed her strength by surviving Residential School and while in residential school Mary lost her older sister Victoria. Following residential school Mary was entered in a sanitorium for Tuberculosis in Thunder Bay. During her 5 years in the Sanitorium with an occasional visit home, her loving Father Harry continued to visit and would camp in the yard where she could see him from her hospital window. On one of his visits he accidently left a bag of nails that she kept hidden as her only connection to home.
As a young lady, she worked in the service industry from cabin cleaning, part owner of Sunset Lodge to assisting in managing the O’Hare Motel in International Falls but cherished and loved being a stay-at-home mom and in her latest years being a respected elder of her home community. She was a proud Anishinaabe woman who retained her language and the ability to read syllabics. Being very proud of her sobriety for 42 years.
She had many dear friends over the years Emily Bluecoat, Francis O’Connor, Burt Elders, Pat Long, Ron Blue, Giles Heart, Jack and Evelyn Cederlund, Adaline Horton, Maggie Spruce, Jerome Whiteman, Beverly Shebagegit, Sister Pat, Evelyn Copenace, Lucille Kelly, Brian Tuesday, Margret Desrosier, Melvin Jones, Moses and Mary Louise Mandamin, Victoria Jack, Mary Kavanaugh, Theresa Elders, Bob Major, Vernon Mainville and many close friends we may have forgotten.
She will be greatly missed by many and we know she will continue to watch over us. She was also the last surviving sibling of Kokum Kelly’s family where she claimed her mark as a proud Kelly matriarch. She was a strong but tender, lively but humble and a sweet soul with a great sense of humour and incredible wit. Her beauty is with us always.
Honorary pallbearers are Betty, Diane, Corrine ‘Boochie’, Harry ‘wowee’, Catherine ‘Stubalo’ Kelly, Norman ‘Acer’ and Lois Allen, Millie Bruyere and Lorna Shields-Tuesday.
Pallbearers are Clayton, Chris, Stacey, Jason Jr, Louis, and Kelvin Kelly, Jason and Mason Paypompee.
Apichi-miigwetch to the Ojibways of Onigaming community and family members for their support. We wish to thank so much to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre, Lake of The Woods District Hospital Doctors and the many Nurses for their care and understanding and her dedicated homecare nurses.
Thank You Mom for the many wonderful memories of your simple approach to life and example tenacity through the toughest day you were truly brave until the end.
Mom, when we hugged you, we held our whole world in our arms!
Gii-zhaaweniigiigo-nimama
(We love you Mom)
Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomkenora.com
BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.
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