Kathleen Ostamus, born July 7, 1917, passed away at the Lakehead Manor in Thunder Bay, Ontario on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 with her family by her side.
She lived a very active traditional lifestyle gathering and harvesting traditional food and medicines. She was the eldest member of Neskantaga First Nation and would often be seen walking wherever she wanted to go.
She played a very important role in community development and meetings often leading in prayers and providing sound advice. She rarely missed attending community meetings or events. She was a devout catholic and would lead prayers for the community.
Kathleen is a survivor of the residential school. Despite the hardships and tragic losses she encountered, she maintained a positive attitude seen through her teachings, which she also exemplified in her daily life.
Kathleen is survived by her son, Donald Ostamus and daughters Maggie Sakanee and Sarah Moonias including numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She is mourned by the whole community as well as friends and relatives from nearby communities, at the same time her life is celebrated for living a very healthy life.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016 from 1 – 2 p.m. at Jenkens Funeral Home before she is taken to her final resting place in Lansdowne House, Ontario (Neskantaga First Nation) where she resided most of her life.
