Obituary of Mary Cryingman

Mary Cryingman, also known as Mary Cryman, was born at West Moberly in a teepee to Daniel and Maria Cryman. She was one of the last original members of the Beaver Band. Mary raised her 2 children Pat & Lillian on her own on the West end reserve, she made her living by trapping, selling furs and making moccasins. She was considered a true pioneer, who lived her life through many hard times, times that our generation only read about or see in movies. She lived a simple life, was quiet and very shy but proud of who she was. Mary didn't like the noisy world around her, not even in her home. Grandma didn't own a TV or a radio, therefore company or entertainment for her was walking through the old trail behind her house to visit Molly and Maxi. Most evenings Grandma would sit under a coal oil lamp and bead her moccasins. She also made her own moose hides behind a small wooded area with a slight smoked fire burning under a shaded spruce tree. Mary kept her woodstove burning all the time, which is where she did all her cooking, even though in later years she had an electric stove, she never used it. In 1978 Mary lost her only son Pat, and that devastated her, from then on she was devoted to her only living child, Lillian. Mary resided at the West end reserve till April of 2006, when she moved into the Chetwynd Care Home. Mary loved her stay there, often we would find her in her room with Auntie Mary Ghostkeeper, holding hands…I am sure Auntie Mary will miss her. Mary passed away peacefully, with her family by her side on September 21, 2007 in Chetwynd, B.C. Thank God for giving grandma a good long life. Grandma leaves to mourn, her daughter Lillian(Oliver) - Grandchildren: Norma (Rick); Derald (Liz); Geraldine (Ray); Lucy (Norman); Stella (John); Myron; Ronda (Glen) - Great Grandchildren: Nicole (Warren); Lisa (Adrian); Patrick; Christopher, Dustin; Payton, Melanie (Todd); Falon; Amanda, Timber, Kaylynn; Crystal (Josh); Tyson; Lacie; Allie & Courtney - Great Great Grandchildren: Riley & Ryan; Colby & Oliver; Aaliyah & Taiya; Reece & Ethan A prayer service was held on Thursday, September 27th, at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Chetwynd, B.C. A funeral service was held on Friday, September 28th, at 11:00 am. Fr David John officiated, interment followed in the West Moberly Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium.