KIMBERLY ANNE EDWARDS-DESJARLAIS (DOODSIE) SWALLOW (SHASH-SHA-GINNI-BE-SHEENS)

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KIMBERLY ANNE EDWARDS-DESJARLAIS (DOODSIE) SWALLOW (SHASH-SHA-GINNI-BE-SHEENS) February 6, 1966 - January 12, 2007 Peacefully on January 12, 2007, Kimberly Anne Edwards-Desjarlais passed away at the St. Boniface Hospital with family by her side. Always remembered and sadly missed by Ron; daughters, Alannah and Pamela; sons, Ron Jr. (Cindy) and David; grandchildren, Nicole and Cole; her beloved cat Sunshine (Boojhie) and her bird K.C. Kim leaves to mourn her brothers and sisters, Edwin (Valerie), Stephen (Cheryl), Freda (Joe), Marlene (Arthur), Linda (Franklin), Susan (John), Peggy and Emma; brother-in-law Charles Wood; Aunty Maggie (Jim) Dunn, Cecilia Missiabit; Uncles, Joe Edwards, Johnny Baptiste and Abe Monkman (Shingoose), also her friends and neighbors at Dial-A-Life-Housing Complex and many other relatives. Kim was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Edwin; sister Lillian; brothers, Randy, Richard, Jordie and Dennis; brother-in-law Ronnie Swan; grandparents, Nancy and Charles, Pauline; and godparents, Delia and John. Kim loved her godchildren dearly: Desiree Chippeway, Ronnie Swan Jr., Edwin Wood and Brent Wilson. Kim had a special place in her heart for all her nieces and nephews: River, Kyle, Kristen (Chick-a-boom), Ainsley (Sam), Cheryl, Dean (Toy), Deanna (Ah-din), Judy, Baby Ronnie and Baby Ryan. Kim even created her nicknames for some of them: Domi, Toy-Toy, Hayden (lil moo-jeet), Yvonne (lil old lady), Kelly Dale and Nathan Skye (Moo-Alec), Dustyn (Serious Baby). Kimmy was born on February 6, 1966. She was 40 years old and was the baby of 12 siblings. Kimmy grew up at Lake Manitoba First Nation, graduated from high school and spent two years attending Brandon University. She moved to Winnipeg and took a hairdressing course. In 1994, she completed a Family Support Worker Certificate. Then in 2001, she also graduated from Red River College as an Aboriginal Aids Coordinator. Kimmy was always flighty, going from one thing to another, always keeping busy. In the summer, she would play baseball, being a star pitcher who carried her team to the top in many tournaments across Canada. In the early 2000's, Kimmy started getting sick and stayed close to her home in Winnipeg becoming a very private person. Her pet companions, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, a canary and a cat, were a solid part of her life. Kimmy became a foster parent for ACFS. She took in Alannah who became more than just a foster child. She became Kimmy's daughter. Although Kimmy never had any of her own children, she adored all the children she knew. Like a bird, she would open up her wings and wrap them around her heart. She would call them her little moojeets . In 2006, she married Ron Desjarlais in a beautiful wedding ceremony she had always wanted. Their love was strong and Ron would take care of her throughout her sickness and health. Together they became a true Mom and Dad for Alannah, K.C and Sunshine. There is a new star twinkling brightly up above. There is a little bird singing a new song out there somewhere, and we know it's about you Doodsie. Just like you wished to, you are now free to fly. We will remember the sweetest and most beautiful smile in this whole world as belonging to you, baby girl! And we will always carry that in our hearts. We will always love you, Doodsie. A memorial and prayer service will be held at Knysh Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St., Winnipeg, on Monday, January 15, between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Wake services will be held at Edwin Edward's residence in Lake Manitoba First Nation on Tuesday, January 16, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, at the Lake Manitoba School Gymnasium with Pastor Bill Watson officiating. Interment to follow in the Lake Manitoba Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jeremy Edwards, Dean Edwards, Tim Edwards, Edwin Wood, Rodney Lavalee and Ronnie Swan Jr. Honorary pallbearers are all the children whom she loved very very much. Crossbearers are Tomahawk Swan and Kyle Edwards. Special thanks to Rodney, Annette and family, Gloria and Darlene Spence, the nurses and staff at the St. Boniface ICU Unit and Lake Manitoba Chief and Council. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME LTD. Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 15, 2007