Elizabeth Bernadette Young

Elizabeth Bernadette Young, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, walked on to the spirit world at age 78, on November 30, 2025, in Bahweting (Sault Ste. Marie) peacefully in bed with a loving family by her side. She was born on September 14, 1947, in Wiikwemkoong, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada to Eli Maiangowi and Josephine Mary Peltier.

Elizabeth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker who took meticulous care of her home and the people she loved. She valued hard work, organization, cleanliness, generosity, and kindness, and she expressed those values through her daily acts of service. Grounded, practical, and deeply spiritual, she embodied a balance of common sense, humility, and quiet strength.

Elizabeth also had a remarkable sense of humor. She possessed both an innocent, dry wit and a mischievous streak that surfaced when least expected. Every so often, she would deliver a totally inappropriate joke with perfect timing, catching people off guard and leaving the room erupting into hysterical laughter. Her humor was disarming, healing, and unforgettable, and it reflected the resilience with which she navigated life.

Elizabeth grew up in Wiikwemkoong and was a first-language speaker of Anishinaabemowin in the Odawa dialect. She belonged to the turtle clan, and her spirit name was "Niizhwaaswi Kwe," meaning "Seven Woman". She was raised by her great-grandparents, who taught her both Anishinaabe traditions alongside the Catholic faith. She was Anishinaabe Kwe through and through, proud of her heritage and committed to passing it on. She always dreamed of becoming a teacher, and although she was not formally trained, she was a force of wisdom, humor, and insight who imparted invaluable teachings to her grandchildren.

Elizabeth did not have an easy life, but she met every challenge with determination. In her youth, she attended Catholic school where speaking Anishinaabemowin was discouraged and often punished, as part of wider assimilation efforts. She was the descendant of residential school survivors, including her mother and great-grandfather, whose experiences shaped the lives of generations to come. Although those experiences attempted to erase her language, they could not squelch her identity or spirit. She carried her cultural identity with immense strength and dignity throughout her lifetime. Those experiences profoundly shaped her worldview, creating a unique blend of Anishinaabe spirituality and Catholic faith that guided her prayers, her decisions, and her way of life.

In 1963, at just sixteen years old, Elizabeth moved to the United States. Three years later she met James "Frisky" Young and the two of them got married. They had three children, Clarence, James, and Elaine. Elizabeth and Frisky shared fifty-five years of marriage. After his passing in 2022, Elizabeth grieved deeply, but she honored him by living "Frisky's way"- embodying the lessons he instilled in her. She looked forward to reuniting with him in heaven.

Elizabeth loved to spend quality time with her family and husband on Sugar Island, quilt, listen to country music, and tend the vegetable garden. She also loved to attend tribal community events, pow wows, language classes, elder trips, and helping out at elder lunch. She especially loved going to garage sales and had a penchant for collecting countless towels, and pots and pans, which became a running joke in the family.

Elizabeth was a unique and strong spirited woman who will never be forgotten. She was loved by many and her memory and legacy lives on through those that know and honor her. May she rest in eternal peace and love with the Lord. Aho miiwe.

Elizabeth is survived by her sons, Clarence Young and James (Sue Menard) Young; daughter, Elaine (Eric) Clement; four grandchildren, Alicia K. Gervais, Alex Young, Dagwaagin Wright, and Jamey (Matt Mills) Young; three great-grandchildren, Jim Young, Tony Young, and Danny Young; siblings, Walter Santigo, Mark Santigo, Sandra Foldi, Laurie (Sunny) Kozeyah, and Margaret Santigo; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Shirley Trudeau, Bernadette Azevedo, Barbara Parr, Moni LaLonde, Lonna and Karen Gorenflo, Kalvin Hartwig, and Dorothy Gervais and family.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and Eli; grandparents, Charlie and Cecilia Peltier; great-grandparents, Moses and Agnes Trudeau; siblings, Rose Peltier, Bernice Santigo; and mother and father-in-law, Catherine and Anthony Young.

Visitation will begin on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 12:00 Noon at Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building 11 Ice Circle, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783, with a light dinner at 5:00 PM and prayers and story sharing at 7:00 PM.

On Thursday, Traditional Ceremony will be held on December 4, 2025, the feast begins at 5:00 PM, with the pipe ceremony, prayers, and drumming beginning at 7:00 PM.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, Mass will begin at 10:00 AM, the final viewing will begin at 10:30 AM, and lunch will be held at 12:00 Noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elizabeth's honor may be made to the Sault Tribe Elder Center, 2076 Shunk Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.

Obituary as submitted by family.