MRS. ROSIE DAY RIDER, beloved wife of the late Mr. Barney Day Rider, passed away peacefully at the Cardston Health Centre surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the age of 88 years.

Survived by her loving children: Martha (Winston) Day Chief Sr., Rose (Pat) Fox, Doreen (Jeff) Fox, Mavis Smith (Brent Singer), Johnny (Agnes), Andy (Pat), Leonard (Dorothy), Ronnie (Cynthia) Scout, Pete, Rudy Wells, Clayton Blood. Son-in-law Roy Pilling. Daughter-in-laws: Shelly Iron Shirt, Ann Healy. Brother: Wayne (Diane) Plume. Sister-in-law: Theresa (Twigg) Plume. Adopted Children: Morris & Betty-Ann Little Wolf, Heber & Florence Pilling, Carol & Russell Wagner, Dolly Creighton, Ralph & Faith Zentner, Bob & Monica Wilson, Deanna Plume and Hannelore. Rosie is also survived by numerous Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren.

Pre-Deceased by her loving husband Barney Day Rider. Children: Darlene Rose Wells-Pilling, Tex Melvin Day Rider. Daughter-in-law: Verna Mae Day Rider. Grandchildren: Patricia Rose Fox, Jonathan Fox, Brenty Boy Day Chief, Kevin Pat Day Rider, Cee Cee Day Rider, Terri-Lee Day Rider, Bobbi Rae Wells, Melvin Joe Iron Shirt. Great Grandchildren: Carrie Rose Wells, Cara Wells, Dustin & Dalton Saddle Back-Wells, Kassandra & Shaquielle Day Chief, Daniel James Frank, Nikita Day Rider. Parent: Laurie & Minnie Plume. Sisters: Annie Heavy Head, Florence Scout, Ione Plume, Mabel Little Bull from Browning, MT. Brothers: Dean Plume, Mike Steel.

The world lost a wonderful woman, who demonstrated extreme strength, courage and love. She was a beautiful gentle lady, and now she is in peace and free as a dove.

Rosie will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her as Mom, Grandma and Granny.. She adopted many people from all over the world and considered them as her children and grandchildren. Rosie touched the hearts of all who came into her life with her kindness, compassion and words of wisdom in her teachings as an ideal role model. She lived her life to the fullest in walking her journey as a daughter, grand-daughter; sister, wife, mother, aunt; grandmother, great grandmother, great-great-grandmother and as an ambitious dedicated woman in the many roles she encountered. She shared what she was taught by her grandparents with many people of all ages on the Blood Reserve; other First Nations communities and all over North America. In her travels across Canada and the USA, she carried out her role as a teacher in her own unique style.

Rosie grew up on the Blood Reserve and attended the St. Paul’s residential School. She married the love of her life, Barney Day Rider and they had 10 children. As a hard working woman she spent many hours in a tractor farming and haying to make a living for her family. She was one of the founders of the Blood Reserve Bus co-op and drove a bus for 17 yrs. As she took the children to school at St. Mary’s School she worked there as a Teacher Aide, which she pursued as part of her endeavors to obtain her certificate. Rosie was elected as Tribal Councilor for Kainaiwa for a two year term. When she retired she spent the rest of her life in the capacity of an Elder/Teacher where-ever her assistance was requested. She served her time as a Board Member with the Kainaiwa Children’s Services Corporation; Elder/Counselor for in-mates at Kainai Community Corrections; worked with the Tribal Government Dept., and was instrumental in sharing history, guidance and advice on issues such as the Acres Land Claim & Repatriation Cultural matters.. For those who knew Mom, she treasured in a sacred manner, her knowledge of the traditional cultural practices of the spiritual ways of her involvement in this part of her life. She was adamant in teaching that there was a time and place for talking about these teachings and did not flaunt or boast about this part of her life. Her beliefs in helping people how to help themselves was her wish to leave as her legacy. She always said “do not judge or label others…and forgiveness. “She will be remembered always in the hearts of many people all over the world from Canada to USA and all the way to Australia.

A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 4:00 P.M.

A Wake will be held at SENATOR GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, from 6:30 to 9:00 P.M. The Wake will continue at Rosie’s house (Farm 4) all night.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawell Andrasz Celebrant O.M.I.

Interment to follow at ST. CATHERINE’S CEMETERY.

Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca