Obituary of Elizabeth Calliou
It is with great sadness and sorrow we announce the passing of our dear mother Liz. Marie Elizabeth Calliou, sisikwan iskwêw (Rattle Woman), a member of the Cree Nation of Kelly Lake, B.C. passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2020, in Lac La Biche, at the age of 76 years, with three of her children by her bedside. Mom left this world for a better place to be reunited with her beloved parents, siblings and her close family members.
Our mother was born in Kelly Lake, B.C to Johnny and Eva Calliou on March 8, 1944. Mom was raised by her parents in the traditional ways of hunting, trapping, berry picking, tanning hides, sewing, making dry meat, and fishing. It was through Grandpa Johnny’s family guiding business, as a young girl she would trek through the mountains, riding horses, helping her mom cook and set up camp. Mom also helped make moccasins, which was one of the ways she provided for our family. Our family’s beadwork and moccasin making skills were known far and wide.
In her earlier years; Mom, her sister; Irene Duke and our kuhkom; Eva, lived in Tomslake, BC where she raised her children, many nieces and nephews and other extended family members. While she lived in Tomslake, Mom and Irene, were avid bowlers and were members of the Dawson Creek bowling league. They were also members of the Women’s Institute. She later moved back to Kelly Lake where she continued to raise her children. Family was everything to Mom, and she was the center of our family, our Matriarch. She loved nothing more than to have us all together. She helped raise many of her grandkids (Matthew, Billy, Daniel, Cassidy, Jude, Sam and Layla) and she also raised her sister Florence’s children Jeanie Calliou, Danny and Robin Davidson; who have passed before her.
Mom loved being in the mountains. They were her home. She loved having outdoor feasts in the mountains after picking berries or after a day trip with family. Mom loved spending time with her family and making sure that everyone was taken care of in her own special way made her happy. She devoted her life to her family with teachings of love, respect, honesty, with a strong guidance of living a good life filled with compassion, fairness and empathy. Later in life she returned to her traditional teachings. She was a traditional Sundancer and danced for the continued good health of her family. She was funny, kind and humorous! She gave thanks through the many giveaway ceremonies she did and her life was extended for almost five years longer after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2016. It was her faith that impressed upon her family to believe, and continue to practice, the Sundance and sweat lodge ways of her people. She led by example and was loved by many.
She was predeceased by her parents; Johnny and Eva Calliou, brothers; Lawrence, Charlie, Joe and George, and sisters; Florence, Irene and Galena. Liz is survived by youngest brother; Clifford (Margaret), two daughters; Priscilla (Clayton) and Rebecca (Robbie), two sons; Gary Calliou and Tim Duke; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members who knew her as Gramma
Mom will be laid to rest at Kelly Lake Cemetery on Saturday, April 18th at 1 pm AB time through a traditional Cree ceremony. We ask at this time that only immediate family to attend as a result of the pandemic we are facing at this time. Friends and community members may pay their respects by sending their sympathies to the family via email at priscall@hotmail.com.
Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Elizabeth
Calliou 1944 2020..
reynars funeral home & crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Dawson, Province: Colombie britanique