CHRISTINA HARRIET CRATE (HALCROW) (SINCLAIR)

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CHRISTINA HARRIET CRATE (HALCROW) (nee SINCLAIR) September 23, 1938 - November 14, 2009 In loving memory of our beloved mother Christina Crate who passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg, MB. Mom was born in The Pas, MB. She was raised and attended school in Moose Lake, MB. She is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation Band. Along with a grade school level of education, she had a lot of qualities such as strength, perseverance, common sense, a love for life and had an enormous sense of humour. She was a strong Cree woman and spoke the Cree language beautifully. She married William Halcrow in 1955, jointly they had 11 children. They lived in Athapap, Mile 100, Cross Lake, and Wabowden, finally settling in Winnipeg. In 1971, her first husband passed away when the youngest child was three weeks old and the eldest was a mere 14 years. Our mother was only 35 years young when she had the sole responsibility of raising nine children on her own until she met Harvey Crate. After meeting Harvey in Winnipeg they moved to The Pas. She worked for Jones' Grocery and the Wescana. Later they married on June 25, 1985. They took pride in the home which they established together. Mom enjoyed the trip of her lifetime to Hawaii which she attended with her daughter, Karon. Mom enjoyed visiting with friends and family, fishing, gardening, canning, picking berries, making jam, playing bingo and watching events during the Trapper's Festival and Opaskwayak Indian Days. She would enter events during Fisher River and Pequis Treaty days where she had won trophies for Moose and Goose calling. She was also a major jackpot winner for NCI Bingo in July, 2007. In addition to her hobbies, she enjoyed knitting, embroidery, crocheting and doing beadwork and creating her own designs and she was in the process of designing a jacket for one of her grandsons. She would also take the time to bake for others. She had family pet dogs which she cherished named Tiny and Bear. She lived self-sufficiently and independently for 12 years after Harvey's passing. She took the time to help raise some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As well, she enjoyed spending summers with numerous grandchildren. Mom lived at the McGillivary Care Home from December 2008 until July 2009. She missed her home and wanted to be in Fisher River. She moved back to Fisher River into the Care Home due to her health. She will be missed dearly by her special friend, Ben Mallett who looked after her home and pet while mom was away. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by all her family, relatives and friends: daughters: Karon McGillivary, Cileen Lathlin, Alfreda Mayer (Frank Turner), Elaine Cook (Derek), Sandra Morand (Shane), Louise Halcrow, Isabel Halcrow (William Ducharme), Florence Halcrow, Dana Place; 38 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers: John George (Lillian) Sinclair, Norman (Shirley) Sinclair, James (Helen) Sinclair; sisters: Linda (Peter) Lathlin, Jody Nabess, of The Pas; aunties: Victoria Scott, Irene Moore; brothers-in-law: Chief David Crate (Mary), Delmar (Jessie) Crate, sisters-in-law: Elsie, Phyllis Joanne (Dave) Valerie; extended family: Paul McKay and Family, Marlene (Bob) Ross and Family in Cross Lake, MB. Harvey's seven children: Leroy, Fred, Theresa, Charlene, Marlene, Beth, Victor, Vincent. Godson: Peter Chartrand, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many other relatives. She was predeceased by husband Harvey Leroy Crate; and her children's father William Sandy Halcrow; father Theodore Dupuis; mother Eva (Wilfred) Sinclair (nee Nasikapow); grandparents: Robert Nasikapow, Victoria McKay; son William Halcrow (Junior); sister Charlotte Constant; brother Roy Sinclair; brother-in-law Lazarus (Trapper) Constant; in-laws: Frances and Wilfred Crate, Alfreda and Wilkie Halcrow; grandchild Paul Jr. McKay; great-grandchildren Raven Halcrow, Morning Star Mayer, Brian Matthew Halcrow-Harris; great-nephew Kelvin Constant; son-in-law Andrew Lathlin; aunties: Marie Chartrand, Flora Halcrow, Matilda Nasikapow and uncles Eric Nasikapow. Wake Service will be held 6:00 p.m., Friday, November 20 at Steven's Memorial United Church, Fisher River, MB. Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 21 also at Steven's Memorial United Church. Reverend Freda Bear and Reverend Joan Hudson will officiate. Interment will follow at Fisher River Community Cemetery. Reception to follow. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. Whether you sent us a card, made a phone call, made visits to the hospital or will be attending the funeral services or kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We cannot truly express how much your support has helped us during these past few weeks. Special thanks to the ambulance attendents, Lori Sinclair, Ivy Flett, Chief and council and community members of Fisher River. thank you to Seven Oaks Hospital Doctors, Nurses and Staff. As well as all who expressed their kindness shown through prayers and deeds. May God bless you all. Mom, we love you. We miss you, your smile, your laughter, your love. You will always be in our hearts. Our love is with you. Your children. Fisher Funeral Home Inc. In care of arrangements. Fisher Branch, MB (204) 372-6271 or 372-6803

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2009