Mary Papineau

1956 – 2019

Mary Darlene “Watokwas” Papineau, 63, of Akwesasne, peacefully entered the Spirit World on November 24, 2019, surrounded by her loving family at Cornwall Community Hospital.

Mary was born on January 3, 1956 in Lakewood, New Jersey to the late Louise Ruth Laforce and the late Mike (Madice) Papineau. She attended school as a child in the village of St. Regis, Quebec. After receiving her GED as a young adult, she went on to receive a diploma in Addictions and Mental Health at Mohawk College in Brantford, Ontario in 2000; She also undertook a welding certificate course at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall, Ontario and studied Psychology at SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, NY. Mary spent her early motherhood years working at the Levi factory and in lighting manufacturing in Cornwall, Ontario. She enjoyed working as a dealer at TVI in Akwesasne; She spent several years as a counselor at the Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Center in Muncey, Ontario; as well as several years thereafter as a counselor at both group homes and the women’s shelter in Akwesasne. Mary first married Phillip T. Terrance Jr. in 1984, which ended in divorce. She later married Frederick C. Lascelles in 2001.

A residential school survivor, Mary was very passionate about researching and advocating for the rights of her fellow Onkwehonwe People. She spent most of her time increasing her knowledge on our traditional culture and attending socials and ceremonies at the longhouse. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, often teaching them how to cook. Mary enjoyed playing radio bingo, going to the Bingo Palace and the Casino. She enjoyed swimming, she loved the ocean. She also had a love for sewing and music, attending live concerts as often as she could.

Mary is survived by her 5 children, Kathleen, Isaac (Jamie), Jamie (Cory), Robyn (Trevor) and April (Dylan), all of Akwesasne; Her 12 grandchildren, Blaze, Kash, Kuylin, Blade, Isaac Jr., Kanienkwinehtha, Adleigh, Embry, Sophia, Winter, Trevor Jr. and Willa, all of Akwesasne. She is also survived by one sister Beverly Papineau of Akwesasne, and four brothers Mike (Chris) Papineau of Syracuse, NY, Timothy (Carol) Papineau of Akwesasne, Dennis Papineau of Michigan, and Arthur (Karen) Papineau of Central Square, NY and several nieces and nephews; A godson, Ryan King and a god daughter, Brenda Papineau of Akwesasne.

Mary was predeceased by an infant son, Phillip Thomas Terrance III on March 4, 1977; her mother Louise Papineau in 1990, her father Mike (Madice) Papineau in 1981; her mother-in-law Sandra Terrance in 2016; her sister Margaret Buckshot in 2017; and her grandson Richard “Dickie” Oakes Jr. in 2011.

Resting at Akwesasne Homemakers in Snye, beginning Thursday November 28th at 2:00 PM until the time of the services. Funeral Ceremony will be held Friday 11:00 AM also at the Homemakers; Cremation to follow.. Arrangements under the care and direction of Lahaie & Sullivan, Cornwall Funeral Homes, West Branch, (613-932-8482).