Lesser Slave Lake's Grand Lady passes away at 106 years of age

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Philomene Gladue lived for most of her 106 years at a place she dearly loved , along the quiet lakeshore of Lesser Slave Lake in northern Alberta.

Born and raised in Kinuso (Swan River Indian reserve) it is believed Philomene was actually 112-years-old when she passed away April 4, 1990.

When she was a young girl, birthdates were usually never registered until children were baptized. Philomene's family members say she wasn't baptized until she was five or six years old.

Regardless of her age, to her friends, relatives and family, Philomene will always be the "Grand Lady of Lesser Slave Lake."

Philomene was born in the same year (July 10, 1885) of the final battle between the Metis in Saskatchewan led by Louis Riel and government troops sent by then prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald, which ended on the fields of Batoche.

She lived most of her life in the Lesser Slave Lake area and is survived by two daughters, Alvina Montean and Jennie Thompson.

People remember her by her quiet charm, her sense of humor and her kindness.

"If she knew you had no money she would give you her last dollar. If you had no place to stay, she would give you a place to sleep and feed you," said Philomene's only remaining son-in-law and honorary pallbearer Bill Montean.

"At a dance in honor of her 90th birthday, all the old-timers wanted to dance the first waltz with her. She told them "No, I will dance the first dance with my only son-in-law." It was an honor, said Montean remembering with pride.

"She was everybody's grandmother. Yes it's true. My children always called her Kookum," commented Treaty 8 health care worker Doris Courtorille.

"Philomene brought up everyone. She was such a caring person," said Beverly Frost, a Kinuso resident and one of Philomene's many relatives.

An Eagle Feather ceremony was held in honor of Philomene and elder Richard Cardinal, originally from Fort Vermillion, led people in prayers at her funeral.

"It was what she wanted. Later people enjoyed a feast in her honor," said Bernice Smith, another close friend of the family.

Philomene leaves behind eight grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

One niece who attended the funeral was Edna Sinclair, wife of past Metis Association of Alberta president, Sam Sinclair.

Sam and his son Gordon also attended the funeral and wake.

Funeral services were held at St. Felix Catholic Church in Kinuso.

Philomene's one request was to be carried to her final resting place in a horse drawn wagon.

On April 7, with the wind blowing off Lesser Slave Lake and Cree hymns filling the air, the Grand Lady was carried to her final resting place in St. Felix Catholic Cemetery by a wagon team of horses.

Over 150 people attended her funeral and while the wagon carried her down the gravel road towards the cemetery, a little boy on a bike said "I guess Grammaw's going home now."