VANESSA LEIGH CHATELAIN

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VANESSA LEIGH CHATELAIN

Vanessa Leigh Chatelain, passed away on August 3, 2026, in Maple Ridge BC, after a 13 month battle with cancer. She was born on December 4, 1978, in Winnipeg, MB, and her life was a testament to love and laughter.

She is survived by partner Cambie Kroetsch; son Miyikosiwin Stanley Morin; mother Suzanne Chatelain; sister Erin Chatelain; brother-in-law Glenn Owens; nephew Harlan Owens. She was predeceased by her father Stanley Yaworek.

She fought this illness as a true warrior with all the strength that she had. Her powerful resolve and continual positive attitude made us proud.

Vanessa’s passionate way of caring was felt with everyone she met. She listened and cared for you even from the first encounter. She often sent her sister gifts in the mail and made handmade cards for every occasion. She always wanted to be a mother and was blessed with her son at the age of 42. Miyikosiwin (Meko) was the love of her life and spoke of him to everyone she met.

Vanessa had a great love for crafts and making things by hand including drum making, beading, painting, hide tanning, basket weaving and macramé. She sang with a Vancouver-based Indigenous women’s hand drum group.

Vanessa will be missed greatly but we will honour her by finding beauty in this world as she always did.

A celebration of her life will take place August 22, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Whittier Park.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 15, 2026