Obituary of Beryl Pearl Kootenay

It is with sadness & celebration that we announce the passing of Beryl Pearl Kootenay of the Nakoda Sioux Nation. Beryl passed away peacefully surrounded by family in the Foothills Medical Centre at the age of 58. “I have fought the good fight, finished the race.., kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Beloved mother to Floranda, Blaine, Kandace (Kathy), Leonard, Edward and Trina. Remembered as a resiliant mother who lived life to the fullest and loved the people who were forgotten. Beryl’s pride and joy she saw grow like precious flowers are her grandchildren: Jermaine, Steve, Jesse, John, Jayden, Katia, Noah and great grandson, Dante Kootenay-Damasco. Beryl expressed her generoisity for humanity through volunteering with support services to enhance the embetterment of life: Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre, Native Friendship Center, Calgary Urban Projects Society, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Mustard Seed, Treaty Seven Disability Society, Treaty Seven Economical Development, The Women’s Resources Centre, Awo Taan Healing Lodge, Native Addiction Services, Sunrise, Aboriginal Resources Center and the National Network on Disabilites and many self help initiatives. Beryl is a recipient of the 2003 Governor General Caring Canadian Award, the YMCA Peace Metal Award and nominated for the Order of Canada. Nominated as a representitive of Woman Living in Poverty at the United Nations Summit on Poverty in Washington D.C. Beryl was given the prestigeous honor of naming Kootenay Lodge, a home for the disabled & homeless. She is an honorary member of the Blackfoot Confederacy and a recipient of numerous Treaty 7 awards. Beryl had a life long passion of frequenting the streets of downtown Calgary; to be an ear, shoulder, helping hand and friend. She had many friends among the Calgary street community and was known as the street angel; guiding people into the light when times seemed so dark. For many years she was involved within the Calgary A. A. community. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference…” Beryl is survived by brother Douglas Jr, (Lavern) Kootenay; sisters, Myrna & Lana; nieces, Kristy & Janine Crow, Ursula, Ilona, Clarissa, Toshia, Chantelle & Elvinia Kootenay; nephews, Lionel & Tytus Crow, Kirby (Fran) Strongman, Troy (Eleanor), Cameron (Jovita), Daryl & Christopher Kootenay; paternal aunt Lucy Poucette; maternal aunts, Tina Holloway, Roseanne & Elizabeth Twoyoungmen, Mary Twoyoungmen-Crawler, Margaret Bearspaw, Carolina (Wilfred) Amos, Lydia (Larry) Daniels; uncles Randy (Jackie) Twoyoungmen, Bert & Earl Wildman; special cousins, Doreen, Viola & Clarice Kootenay, Anita Twyoungmen, Sharon Rider, Connie Poucette, Maxine & Connie (Eddy) Holloway, Ben (Marlene) Giroux. She was predeceased by her sons Owen (2001) and Norbert (2006), sister Irene Kootenay-Crow (2008), brothers, Alvin, Irvin, Johnny & Gardner (1940’s), Earl (1958), Harley (1978) & David (1991) as well as her parents Douglas & Ruth Kootenay, all of Morley, AB. “We apologize if we have forgotten anyone” The family would like to give special thanks to Care West Dr. Vernon Fanning Care Centre, with special thanks to Neil, Mom?s favourite nurse. Wake services will be held at the home of Kandace Kootenay (Bearhill), Morley, AB today, July 8, 2008. Funeral Services will be held at St. Stephen?s Anglican Church (1121 – 14th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 12:00 noon. Graveside Service to follow at Bearspaw Cemetery, Morley, AB. In living memory of Beryl Kootenay, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane Funeral Home, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE. Telephone: (403) 932-4740.