Marie Wawia

WAWIA Marie (Mary) Jeanne Wawia (nee Grenier) of Lake Helen Reserve, Nipigon, Ontario passed away peacefully at her residence, on Wednesday, May 24, 2000, after a lengthy illness, with her family by her side. Marie was born on January 17, 1922 at MacDougall Mills, Ontario. She moved to Nipigon in 1942, where she met and married Edward Wawia. Together they raised 16 children. Of her many achievements and accomplishments, the most prominent was being recognized as the first female Chief of Canada by INAC. To preserve this distinction, the Wawia Township in the District of Algoma was named in her honour and presented to her by her mentor and friend, the late Jack Stokes. After serving three terms as Chief of the Red Rock Indian Band, she became Band Manager for the years 1978-1992. Marie was a member of the CWL and a firm believer of the Catholic Faith. Some of her favourite past times were bingo, blueberry picking, camping and sharing memories with her family and friends. . Marie was predeceased by her parents - Alexander and Kate Grenier, by brothers - Alex and Laurence Grenier, by sister Lumena Bellamy, by her husband Edward Sr. , by sons - Timothy (Billy), Gaye (PeeWee) and David Wawia, by son-in-law Richard Morriseau and by grandson Timothy Walford. She is survived by her sister (Tessa) Laetitia (Bill) Hardie, by her children - Donald Grenier Sr. , Benedict (Suverina) Grenier, Dolores Morriseau, Dennis (Nancy Sr. ) Wawia, Beverly (Ron Sr. ) Kanutski, Edward Jr. (Eileen) Wawia, Kathy (Bill) Tuck, Irma (Brian) Appel, James (Mona) Wawia, Judy Wawia, Gloria (Karl) Lindstrom, Tina Wawia, Fred (Heather) Wawia, Jeffrey (Darlene) Wawia, by grandchildren - Donald Jr. (Shelly), Fred, Eugenia (Mike), Benny Jr. (Danielle), Jessica (Henry), Terry, Timothy (Cynthia), Jody, Connie (Conway), Richard Jr. (Wendy), Althea (Pat), Angela, Cheryl, Sean (Krista), Nancy Jr. (Mike), Timothy (Marie), Dennis Jr. (Jennifer) Sophia (Derek), Joseph, Ronald Jr. (Sharon), Emily (Mike), Sherry, Alex (Robin), Kayla, Gloria (Mike), Daniel (Sandra), Anna, Dawn (Pat), Aileen (Shannon), Rosanne (Gerry), Candace (Shane), James, Darrell (Jackie), Janelle, Nicholas (Danielle), Tymara, Philip (Lyndsey), Melody, Christina (Ryan), Lisa (Sheldon) and Heather, by great grandchildren - Donald III, Meagan, Joseph, Mervin, Shannon, Jeremy, Jackie, Joseph, Kristen, Ben III, David, Darrel, Deven, Sabrina, Chelsea, Miranda (Cory), Matthew, Daniel, Cynthia, Cory, Laurence, Brittany, Taylor, Liam, Zachary, Dennis, Santana, Dalton, Kristin, Braden, Joshua, Jessica, Julia, Sera, Michael, Mykel, Mason, Nash, Courtney, Jasmine, Autumn, Sierra, Quillan, Rayne, Jerryn, Caitlin, Cydney, Jacob, Cheyenne, Savannah, Brandon, Rhys and Carter, by great great grandchild Sylvania, and by numerous step-grandchildren. Also surviving is her life long sister-in-law and best friend Agnes Wawia, special extended family - Gay Bedard, Carmen Dore, and Kris Drouillard and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Resting at her residence at Lake Helen Reserve where friends may call after 7 P.M. on Thursday, May 25, 2000. Funeral services, in the care of Elliott Funeral Home Ltd. , Nipigon will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2000 at 11 A.M. at the Church of the Annunciation, Nipigon with Father Luigi Filippini officiating. Cremation will follow with interment of cremains in St. Sylvester's Church Cemetery, Lake Helen Reserve. Prayers will be offered at the residence on Friday evening at 7 P.M. Friends so wishing may make donations to the Wheelchair Ramp Fund for the Church of the Annunciation."