Phoebe Mary Morrissette

Our wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother Phoebe Mary Morrissette started her journey to the spirit world after a brief illness with cancer. 

Phoebe was predeceased by her parents James and Lizzie Wilson; her siblings Frank, Ken, John, Dorothy, and Florence (Ina) and her son Joey and grandchildren Kenedi and Zachary.

Left to cherish her, Phoebe leaves behind her husband Joe, her children Fernette (David), Arlen (Crystal), Delonna (James) and her grandchildren Alyssa (Cody), Kayla (Keith), Avery (Taelor), Brett (Nicole), Braden (Sydney), Alexis (Justin), Veronica, Kyle (Joette), Dylan (Amanda), Emily (Chase), and Jacqueline and great-grandchildren Caleb, Cassidy, Layne, Serenity, Sara, Aiden, Hudson, Harper, Sophia, Winona and Skylen as well as her brother, Clarence Wilson and many nephews and nieces too numerous to mention. 

Phoebe was kept home from formal education until the passing of her dad James. Phoebe was then sent to Birtle Residential School from age 7 to 13.  She came back to Rolling River to help look after her nieces and nephews for a few years after school.

Phoebe spoke her language fluently.  She enjoyed talking with her sisters and brothers in their language whenever they spoke.  Trips to Rolling River First Nation for visits were regular occurrences.  Family was of utmost importance to Phoebe.  She was actively involved with her children and grandchildren’s lives.  Phoebe and Joe followed them to their sporting activities year-round.  These travels took them as far as Cowichan/Regina for NAIG games and hockey in Kamloops/Kenora.

Phoebe’s traditional name is Gagay Penace Ikwe (Forever Thunderbird Woman).  She was a traditional dancer and travelled the powwow trail with Joe and family for several years.  Their travels took them throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, BC and Ontario with a few trips to North Dakota, USA.  She enjoyed dancing, the competition, visiting with family and other dancers, and the outdoor life.   

Being a First Nation Elder also involved Phoebe and Joe in First Nation Conferences in Winnipeg and Fort Qu’Appelle.   Phoebe participated in the Rolling River Elder’s Committee and volunteered for the Powwow Committee for several years.

Career - In her early years, Phoebe’s focus was on raising her family.  Later, she worked as a taxi driver and at a sewing factory in Winnipeg.  In 1981, they moved the family to Birtle, Manitoba.  As the family began further education and families, Phoebe followed Joe with his work, often in Winnipeg.  Phoebe moved home in 2004 to be closer to her family.

Sharing her knowledge and language gave her joy.  Phoebe worked as an educational assistant as a language instructor at the Wapi-Penace nursery school for seven years.  She loved working alongside her community members and the special connection she shared with the children and their parents.  In her later years, she helped the Cultural Liaison at the Erickson Collegiate with cultural activities (sewing powwow regalia, skirts, and moccasins and teachings).  Education was very important to Phoebe – so much so that she encouraged her family to continue their post-secondary education and to always have a strong work ethic.  Phoebe was proud of her family; as they were equally proud of her.  She also enjoyed planting her flowers and took great pride in her home and yard.

This past year of isolation was difficult.  Regular calls helped but that separation from visiting one another was tough.  She looked forward to a return to normal life.  Her family came home for a summer gathering at the end of June to be together once again.  Those memories will be with us forever.

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