Mary Jane Simard (Nee Bushie)

November 21, 1927 ~ August 22, 2016

Peacefully while her favourite hymns were being sung to her, our dear mother entered eternal rest on August 22, 2016 at the Pine Falls General Hospital.

Mary Jane was the youngest child and last surviving member of the family of George and Margaret Bushie of Hollow Water First Nation, Manitoba, where she enjoyed a warm and comfortable home-life with her brothers George and Norman, sisters Edith and Eleanor.

As a beautiful and fashionable young lady, she met and married our father, Alex Simard and moved to Manigotogan where they raised their 12 children in our old log home with no electricity or running water.  It is there on the old homestead where our warmest and memorable memories were made.  She loved special holidays and always ensured we had a hearty meal, gifts and laughter.

On her old wood stove she made many delicious meals and never complained, always a cheerful smile and always a word of encouragement.  She was a proficient seamstress and she became quite well-known for her beadwork of mukluks, moccasins and gauntlets.  As a baker, she would also create beautiful wedding cakes and homemade goodies.

After raising her children and all were off to school, she worked at the Manigotogan Head Start for a few years. Being a fluent Ojibway speaker, she worked well into her eighty’s at Wanipigow school- teaching knitting, language, crafts and cooking, and the students all called her grandma. She was a well-respected Elder of our surrounding communities of Manigotogan, Aghaming, Seymourville, and Hollow Water.

She supported her children throughout their school days and was very proud with every graduation she attended. Mom enjoying visiting with her family and friends, always loved the challenge of a good game Scrabble and crib, plus her all-time favorite Bingo, where she spent many evenings visiting with her bingo buddies. Mom especially enjoyed going to the Manigotogan Community Chapel and the fellowship she shared with many. She sure did love her small chapel and all her family and friends.

Mary Jane is survived by her eight children, Charles (Marilyn), Leon (Jean), Allana, Reginald (MJ), Sandra, Laver, Rhonda and Amanda (Jerry), sisters Linda, Val (Pete) and brother Bradley, daughters-in-law Geri and Elaine, son-in-law Don, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren, plus numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Vince and Wayne always had a special place in grandma’s heart.

She was predeceased by her husband Alex Simard (1999) and their four children:  Larry (1991) Rudy (2013), Darlene (2014) and Freeman (2015), also their grandson Glen Simard and great grandson Kurt Simard.

Wake Services are Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Monigotogan Community Hall.  Her funeral will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 27^th with viewing from 12:00-2:00 p.m. also at the Hall, reception to follow.  Her pallbearers will be her sons and grandsons.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Sunny Wood Personal Care Home for their love and care plus the staff at the Pine Falls Hospital and Concordia Intensive Care Unit.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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