Mary Jane Mainville

Mary Jane Mainville passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2011, peacefully in her home and surrounded by love, music, and the prayers of her family.

Mary Jane was born on May 31, 1944, to (predeceased) Hector and Mary Mainville (nee Jourdain). She attended St. Margaret’s Indian Residential School. At a young age, she was sent from Couchiching First Nation to Toronto, Ontario, where she eventually met and married Joseph Rudolph (Rudy) Di Nova. Mary Jane’s professional career was highlighted by her efforts as a Native Court Worker with the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre, a job she enjoyed immensely and regretfully had to leave for health reasons. She was always active in the community, giving a helping hand wherever needed, and had an informed interest in history and politics. She loved playing cards, going to bingo, dancing (even up to two days before she left us), and listening to the endless supply of music she had collected over the years.

Mary Jane was predeceased by one daughter, Elaine Di Nova; brothers Willard, Herman, and Vernon; sisters Nora and Donalda “Dee”; and long-lost siblings Melvin and Loretta.

She will be greatly missed by her children Joanne (Lila), Joseph (Wendy “Little White Dove”), and Daniel (Mary); by her grandchildren Peter “P.J.” (Michelle), Mathew, Eileen, Anthony, Joey, and Taryn; and by her great-granddaughter Naomi. She will also be deeply missed by her brother Steve Mainville and sister Valerie Mainville, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and neighbours.

A wake will be held in her honour on Sunday, August 14, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. onward at the Couchiching Multi-Use Facility. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15, 2011, at 10 a.m. with Father Francis Pudicherry and Elder Andrew Johnson officiating.

Mary Jane will be laid to rest with her parents in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Couchiching First Nation at sunrise on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.

Active pallbearers will be Joseph Lane, Mathew Lane, Dean Bethune, Darren Spoon, Andrew Easton, and Steve Mainville, Jr.

Honourary pallbearers will be Peter Di Nova, Madeline Tucker, Rosie Spencer, Audrey Gilbeau, Eleanor Lockman, Leisha Mainville, Lori Mainville, Margaret Boyer, Louis “Smokey” Bruyere, Joanne Ogden, Joanne Swire, Delores “Happy” Tuck, Delores Cyrette, Mary Bombay, and Margaret Norris.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services Nursing Unit for their exceptionally loving and competent palliative care.