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Obituary of Marlene Goodstoney
October 20, 1951 - Morley, Alberta
March 25, 2023 - Cochrane, Alberta
Our mother Marlene Goodstoney was called home by the Great Spirit “Waka” on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the age of 71 years. Marlene passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her bedside.
Marlene was a very loving person who was always approachable and always had a hello for anyone. She cherished, her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; Marlene was very proud of her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. All her life she loved spending time outdoors, enjoying mother nature. Marlene is a decedent of Chief Goodstoney, who was a signatory of Treaty 7 on September 22, 1877.
Marlene was a strong believer in Stoney tradition and participated in sun dances in her early years. She believed teaching the next generation the knowledge passed down to her by her Elders was imperative for our culture’s survival. Therefore, she also practiced the basics of Stoney culture such as beading, tanning hides, drying meat, harvesting, etc.
She also participated in national politics by being a member of a Stoney delegation that represented the Stoney Nation in a national uprising against the “Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy 1969” known as the “White Paper”. She was always proud of standing up for the Stoney People.
She also worked in many places throughout her life, the employment she enjoyed the most was working as a dispatcher with the Cochrane RCMP and as a caregiver in the Elder’s lodge in Mini-Thni. Marlene was a residential school survivor and spent seven years in the school starting at age seven and continued with day school. Thankfully, with the support of her parents and grandparents, she managed to maintain many of her traditions, including language. As a result of her determination and spirit, all six of her children are fluent in Stoney language.
Marlene will be missed by her father Horace Holloway, sons, John, Christopher (Teresa), and Leo; daughters, Amanda, Albertine, and Mariea; grandchildren, Cornelia, Cheyanne, Nakayla, Madden, Colby, Davin, AJ, Eliza, Kerrisa, Aiden, Gennica, and Latika; great-grandchildren, Jonathon and Wagiya; brothers, Glen, Terry (Leeanne), and Sandford; sisters, Cecilia, Elrina, Maxine, Ora, Felicia (Clint), Jeanetlin, and Caroline; adopted sister Mary Jane, sister-in-law Lilly, many nephews and nieces, extended family members of the Snow, Holloway, Bigstoney, Dixon, Poucette, Twoyoungmen, Hunter, and Cecil families; as well as other friends and family in Mini-Thni, Bighorn, Eden Valley, and Brocket. We sincerely apologize to those we missed.
Marlene is predeceased by her mother Mary Margaret, husband Alister, father of her children, Albert, brothers, Colin, Leo, Tony, Terry, and Ben; daughter Cornelia, maternal grandparents, Elizabeth and William Goodstoney; paternal grandparents, Horace Sr. and Christine Holloway; as well as niece Cathleen.
Wake Services will be held at the Residence of Marlene Goodstoney (Morley, AB) on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 30, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at Morley United Church (Morley, AB) on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Bigstoney Cemetery (Morley, AB). Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at here.
In living memory of Marlene Goodstoney, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.
