CECILE MARIA CONTOIS

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CECILE MARIA CONTOIS On Wednesday, March 30, 2005, surrounded by family and loved ones, Cecile Maria Contois passed away peacefully at the Winnipegosis Hospital at the age of 88 years. Mom was born on November 21, 1916, on the Pine Creek Reserve, near Camperville, MB, to Alexander Nepinak and Celina Maytwayashing. Mom was predeceased by parents Alexander and Celina; husband Armand; brothers, Philip and Joe James; sisters, Mary Jane, Catherine, Victorine and Isabelle; infant daughter Lena; adopted daughter Eva. Left with precious memories of mom's love and strength are sons, Frederick (Debbie) and Howard (Jean); sister Marianne; brother-in-law Roderick; grandchildren, Loretta (Dallas), Amanda (Boh), Linda, Barbara, Fred Jr., Lisa, Howard Jr. and Valerie; great-grandchildren, Tyree, Carlito, Simon, Morgan, Cesalee, Cecilia, Alicia and Haley. Ko-Ko Canadian, as she was sometimes affectionately called, was a hard working mother who took very good care of not only her family but also foster children. She attended the local residential school in Pine Creek and became a strong believer in God. Jobs were scarce in Pine Creek so while our dad had to seek employment elsewhere, she took care of a herd of cattle and sheep all the while looking after her family and keeping her home neat and tidy. She always made sure food was on the table, clothes on our backs and a roof over our head. She was also employed by the local school as a janitor for many years so she could sustain her family. She loved playing bingo, and occasionally mom and dad would go to places like Bowsman, Mafeking and Birch River to play bingo. Wake services will be held on Sunday, April 3 at mom's residence in Pine Creek with prayers starting at 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lake of Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in Camperville with Father Cabral presiding. Interment to follow at the Church Cemetery. Following the services, a reception will be held at the Camperville Hall. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Howard Jr., Fred Jr., Loretta, Barbara, Lisa and Valerie. All people attending can consider themselves honorary pallbearers. For expressions of sympathy, the family requests that donations be made in Cecile's memory to one's charity of choice. The family wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to Dr. Johnson and the nursing staff at the Winnipegosis Hospital for all their care and compassion in taking care of our mom throughout her illness. The family would also like to express their gratitude to Lorraine Flatfoot for being by mom's side and being a comfort to mom and family. Mom, it will be hard for us to say goodbye, but it is a comfort to know that you are now free of pain and once again, re-united with Dad in Heaven. Our memories of you will keep us going, those times when you used to sing, Found a Peanut or I was waltzing at night beneath the harvest moon, or in times of disagreement, your famous reply was So. We will cherish those memories and though you won't be by our side physically, the wonderful thing about memories is that you can be with each and every one of us at any time we want just be re-living those beautiful memories of you. You will forever be in our hearts. We love you so very much. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 02, 2005