Obituary of Rachel BIG PLUME

December 3, 1926 – Standoff, Alberta
March 23, 2021 - Tsuutʼina, Alberta

It is with great sadness that our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Rachel Big Plume (nee Manybears), has passed away in her home, comforted by family and friends from both Tsuut’ina and Kainai, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, after a lengthy illness.

Rachel lived a long life and passed at the age of 94, born December 3, 1926, in Standoff, AB, to her parents, Peter and Maryanne Manybears. Rachel was one of ten siblings, and was very close to her cousins, the Bruised Head family. She grew up in Standoff and went to St. Mary’s Residential School. At the age of sixteen Rachel was transferred from the Blood Hospital to Calgary Holy Cross Hospital, where she worked as a kitchen aid, where she met the late Lottie Onespot and Rose Manywounds, which became a life-long friendship. Later, Rachel met, and married John Big Plume and they had six children together, later the adopted Dennis Cardinal, Doreen Jacobs, Marie Dodginghorse and Sheila Labelle, as well as her grandchildren, the late Brandon Big Plume and Rosanna. After her husband passed away, Rachel went back to work in Tsuut’ina as a homemaker for two years, before being hired at the Sarcee Spirit Healing Lodge as a cook. She worked there for many years, upon retiring she volunteered at the Church. She also served on the Board for K5. Rachel was dedicated to her Catholic Religion and practised her faith everyday. She was always supportive and proud of her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Rachel is survived by her sister Mary Steele and her children, Karen Wells, and John Dean Big Plume (Shelly); Lora Big Plume, her grandchildren, Rosanna (Shane), AJ Wells (Carmen), Chantelle, Cori, Denesha, Dion, Shanaye and Tiona Big Plume; great-grandchildren, Raquel Healy (Dory), Kristian, Melissa, Shane, Chloe, Malachi, Brandley Big Plume, and Mason Creighton; Bobby, Tyler, Kiara, and Cassandra Lavallee; Aimie (Hal) Eagletail and family; Jaycee Soloway and family; Bobbi (Chato) Tootosis and family; Jaydee, Riel, and Levi Big Plume; as well as numerous others.

Rachel was predeceased by her parents, Peter, and Maryanne Manybears; siblings, Nancy Calihoo, Annie Crosschild, Lucy Blood, Phelomina Twigg, George, Jack, Fred, and Peter Manybears; numerous uncles, aunts, and other relatives, as well as the Bruised Head family from the Blood reserve. In her Tsuut’ina family, her husband John Big Plume, sons, Godfrey, and Andrew; daughters, Frannie, and Lori; grandchildren, Brandon Big Plume, Melanie, Craig, Ocean, Cheyanne Lavallee, Johanathan Big plume, Charmayne Wells, Brooks and Charity Tailfeathers (Wells).

Special friends of Rachel’s were Chief Roy Whitney, Regena Crowchild, the Late Arthur Onespot family, Lena Big Plume, Carly Jacobs, Mary Starlight, Allen Wells, and Sandra Lavallee.

Special family members who remained with her to the end, Warner and Debbie Manybears, Adeline Smith, Anne Shouting, Rosella Manybears, Celestine Manybears, Delia and Pat Twigg, Dewey Blood, Doreen Jacobs. Focus on Care: Diane, Ezie, Emma, and the Health Center.

Thank you to Allen Wells for the Artwork provided. A special thank you to those who provided the family with comfort, food and spent their time to help with cleaning and other things that may have been forgotten. A thank you to Big Plume family, Simon families, Yolanda Crowchild, Pixie Dodginghorse, Josephine Big Plume, Bev Meguinis, Flora and Deana Simon, Victor Onespot, Ellery Starlight and Deanna Starlight; as well as Father Derrick and Regena Crowchild.

Wake Services will be held at the residence of Rachel Big Plume (170A Weaselhead Road) Tsuut’ina Nation, AB, on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Bullhead Hall on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Tsuut’ina Cemetery (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB). Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Rachel’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Rachel Big Plume, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.