Obituary
(August 7, 1935 – December 17, 2022) Christine (“IIyim’miyakii” Laughing Woman) Big Snake (nee Crowfoot), 87 years of age.
It is with great sadness and tremendous sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Wife, Mother, Gramma, and Aunt who passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2022, in the comfort of her home and in the presence of all her loved ones. She is the last surviving daughter of the late Joe and Maggie Crowfoot and was the oldest surviving descendant of the legendary Chief Crowfoot. She took her last breath when she received her wings to fly amongst the angels to her eternal resting home and welcomed into the heavenly gates by all her family members who passed on before her.
Christine was initiated into the Prairie Chicken Society by her late father Joe. She was a stay-at-home mom and an exceptional wife, precious mother, and loving grandmother. To her children and husband, she was the most loving and beautiful mom / wife in the world who always went above and beyond for them. She never showed any anger and had such a tremendous kind spirit. As her children grew older, she would call each of them daily to check on them. She was always so concerned if they did not answer her call on the first ring or if they weren’t back at a certain time when they were out in the field or doing chores. Mom taught them to be compassionate, loving, respectful, and to lead by example.
Grandma loved all her grandchildren dearly and was very proud of all their accomplishments and successes. She spoiled the little ones and made sure to have ice cream and cones on hand when they came to visit. Grandma was known to have a sweet tooth and always had a stash of a candy, chocolates, pastries, or fruit hidden in one of her many secret spots. Sometimes she would forget about them and when she eventually found them, sometimes they were stale or hard, but she still ate /offered them.
Grandma was very kind, humble and extremely welcoming to everyone who came to visit her or crossed her path. When in the presence of her company, you were sure to laugh the day away as she was a tremendous silly woman, always laughing. She loved to tell stories and reminisce about her younger years. She was always there to lend a helping hand and offer kind words of encouragement. She deeply believed in the power of prayer and often prayed for those in need. She was a blessing to all who were lucky to know her and deeply cared for everyone, especially her Crowfoot and Spotted Eagle families, all her friends, and relatives.
Throughout the years, mom became a very good cook making very tasty meals including her different kinds of soups, macaroni / tomato, hamburgers, and hash. She always cooked three (3) meals a day for grandpa and stood by her stove everyday from morning to night preparing great meals. Mom would often say “I cooked your favorite meal” which was que to come to the house and eat. She had excellent baking skills, taught by her late mother Maggie. She made many delicious desserts like her famous homemade pancakes, pie crusts, apple sauce, rice and raisins, cinnamon buns, and apple / saskatoon pies to name a few. She always greeted you with a hug and a smile and you always left with a full belly of mom’s good cooking and most importantly, her love.
Mom/Grandma was a survivor with a very strong will. Her joy for life and strong spirit kept her pushing through the pain and she fought everyday to the bitter end. Throughout her battle she never complained and accepted her illness as it was god’s plan for her. However, she worried deeply for her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Mom was the matriarch and foundation of our family and with her passing she is leaving a huge void in our hearts. We are going to miss her looking out the window at us. Life going forward will be difficult without her, however she left us with her teachings, memories, love, and her legacy which will aid us with our loss and grief. That is what mom would like us to do, carry on with our lives, take good care of grandpa, and continue to love one another.
Christine leaves behind her loving husband of 74 years, Gordon Big Snake, her dear children Ethel Running Rabbit, Pam (Fred) Rabbit Carrier, Curtis (Maria) Big Snake, Jason Spotted Eagle, Jayme (Allison) Red Crow, and adopted son Stanley (Roxy) Black. Her grandchildren Christa, Tennie (Carolyn), Andrea, Louise (Callen), Freddie, Meagan (Kyle), Anessa, Braeden (Kash), Racey (Mackenzie), Logan, Kenzie, Ryden, Jamie, Blu, Kristen Wolf Ear (and children) and her cat Poos. Great-grandchildren Destiny, Wyatt, Jonah, Wade, Teagan (Carson), Rhea, Brett, Mina, Saffrin, Angel, Rhegan, Mikko, Lily, Harlow, Zeke, Kalani, and Blake. And Great-Great Grandchildren (5th generation) Cloud, Thomas, Hayes. Her In-Laws Bernard St. Goddard, families of the Big Snake, Breaker, Doore, and St. Goddard Clans. Numerous nieces and nephews (too many to mention), and relatives from the Crowfoot, Spotted Eagle, Fox, Ayoungman, Many Bears, Bull Bear, Old Woman, Water Chief, and Calf Child. The family sincerely apologizes for anyone they may have missed
She was pre-deceased by her parents Joe and Maggie Crowfoot, her siblings Margaret Soop (Tootsie), Beatrice Pietrobono, Cecil Crowfoot, Betty Crowfoot and Douglas Many Heads Sr., Son Keith Studhorse, niece Amelia Crowfoot, nephew Larry Crowfoot, grandchildren Burlie Running Rabbit and Amelia Duck Chief, in-laws Simon (Almena) Big Snake, Greg Running Rabbit, Jason Spring Chief, Rosalyn (Robert) Breaker, Freddy (Ruby) Doore, Kenneth (Alice) Big Snake, Leslie (Rosa) Doore, Walter (Sadie) Long Time Sleeping.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank five (5) special women who Grandma deeply cared about and who checked on her often: Simone Munro, June Spotted Eagle, Yvonne Stimson, Valerie McMaster, and Tessa Jones (Grandma’s nurse). The family would like to thank Dr. Hewitt / Backfat, Siksika Home Care, the Palliative Doctors and Nurses in Calgary, Alberta.
Wake services will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 4:00 pm at the residence of Gordon & the late Christine Big Snake (Map 7, House 95). A celebration of Christine’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Siksika. Burial at Crowfoot Cemetery and a Feast to follow at the Siksika Business Centre (SRDL).
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August 7 1935 December 17 2022 87 Years Old
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Christine Elsie Big Snake IIyim’miyakii August 7 1935 December 17 2022 87 Years Old et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville:Duchess, Province: Alberta