MARY GRACIE PICHIINS MCGREGOR

MARY GRACIE PICHIINS MCGREGOR June 9, 1942 – December 10, 2023 In loving memory of Mary Gracie McGregor, of Whitefish River First Nation who walked through the Western Doorway in the early morning hours of December 10, 2023, to journey to the stars. She passed peacefully and surrounded in love at the Manitoulin Health Centre at the age of 81. Mary Gracie was born in Wikwemikong. She worked in the Manitowaning Hospital and later at the hospital in Little Current. She was a court worker for N’Swakamok Friendship Centre for many years before reluctantly retiring at age 75. She loved her job and the people she worked with. Mary Gracie loved to create treasures for her family. She made quilted blankets, beadwork, knitted socks, sewed home accessories, dance regalia and created jewellery. She was a wonderful seamstress who sewed most of the clothes without a pattern. She also loved to fish, often outcatching whoever was on the boat with her! Mary Gracie was involved in the community for many years. She was on Band Council in the ‘60s. She was a tireless fundraising volunteer for St. Gabriel Lalemant Church as well as sitting on Parish Council for many years. She leaves her children Lucy Ann (Don W. Trudeau) Donna (Patty), Don (Sandrah) and Gail (Kiki) (Stephen Pelletier) to mourn her passing. Also left to grieve are her grandchildren Donnelley, Kigen, Akeshia, Paskwamoostoosis, Donald (Little Man), Arran, Anthony, Kihiw, Kiana and Waasnodekwens. She was Chi Mama to Aanimikwam and Kieston. Mary Gracie is also survived by her sisters Medora (Don) Hicks, Joy (Gordon) Gauvereau and brothers David (Susan) and Ronald Manitowabi and brother-in-law Peter (Sue) McGregor. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins with whom she fostered special relationships. Mary Gracie also leaves to mourn, her very many special friends whom she considered as family. She will be sadly missed by James McGregor, her companion of 20 years and in recent days they were happily united in the sacrament of matrimony and his children Harold (Linda), Gerry (Cathy) and Colleen. We would be remiss not to mention her other boys, M’Koons and Milo. She was predeceased by her husband Donald McGregor. She was also predeceased by her parents David and Agatha (nee Mendoshkong) Manitowabi, sisters Catherine Manitowabi, Shirley McKay and Veronica Jacko and her brother Peak Manitowabi Sr. She was also predeceased by her Mother- in-law Victoria McGregor, sisters-in-law, Mary Jacko, Estelle Cywink, Colleen Font, Lillian McGregor, Violet Bonadio, Olive and Shirley McGregor and brothers-in-law Robert and Alan McGregor. She rested at the Whitefish River Community Centre at 10:30 am on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Funeral mass was celebrated at St. Gabriel Lalemant on Thursday, December 14 at 11 am, Father Mark officiating with interment that followed in the Birch Island Cemetery. Arrangements by Bourcier Funeral Home Ltd. Espanola.