Obituary of Edna Simeon

Edna “Ena” Simeon passed on peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2008 at the age of 88 years. Edna was born in Southern Alberta and was raised on the Stoney First Nation Reserve. She received her academic education at the Morley Residential School and most importantly she received a valuable blend of Stoney and Cree traditions from her late parents Alex and Jessie Labelle. Ena worked in various fields through out the years both in the Stoney Community and surrounding areas. To highlight a few of her contributions, she was immortalized as “Blue Sky Girl” in a book by Dr. W.J. Siemens and had the opportunity to play a role in the movie “Little Big Man” in 1970. She was an active lobbyist for equality which lead to a federal legislative change. She was undeniably called to be a mother and grandmother. Ena raised six of her own children and several grandchildren. Ena’s home was frequented by family and extended family. She ensured to be an excellent host to her visitors. Ena lived her life to the fullest with unconditional love, compassion, laughter, and loyalty. She had a quiet strength, dignity, a sharp mind and courage right until her passing. Ena will forever be honoured and cherished by her only surviving son Glen Simeon; daughters-in-law Harriet Simeon and Norma Poucette. Ena will also be deeply missed by all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, extended families and friends including the surviving cousins Cassie Lefthand, George Labelle, Yvonne Poucette, Bertha Big Plume and numerous relatives from Hobbema, Tsuu Tina, Thunderchild and Poundmaker, SK and Crow Agency, MT. Ena was predeceased by her husband Charlie Simeon in 1982, her children Charlie in 1975, Marshall in 1976, Clarabelle in 1988, Barbara in 1994, and Urban in 1998, as well as her siblings Julia, Dan, Gary, Louie and Alfred Labelle and eight grandchildren. Wake Services will be held at the residence the late Edna Simeon (Morley, AB) today, October 28, 2008 and Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Funeral Services will be held at Morley Gymnasium (Morley, AB) on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Chiniki Cemetery (Morley, AB). Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to thank at this time the nurses at the Canmore Long Term Care, Stoney Health Centre Home Care and Chiniki Elders Lodge for the delicate care and support they gave to Ena. In living memory of Edna Simeon, 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.