Dorothy “Tebeshok binesiik” Parenteau nee George
Sunrise November 4, 1947 – Sunset August 24, 2022
Dorothy Parenteau (nee George) aged 74 years of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, started her journey to the sky world, on Wednesday August 24, 2022, at Dryden Regional Health Centre. Dorothy is survived by her children Jonathon (Sandy) and Kevin George, her beloved grandchildren Shara, Candace, Ashton, Jeremiah, Jordan, Madelyn and Dylan, and great grand children Anna-Belle, Jonathan, Aiva, Kashia, Jordan, Mathayus, and her sister Marlene McLeod, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be greeted with open arms by her husband Jim Parenteau, her partner in life Paul Watts, her son Greg George, her brother Clifford McLeod and her parents Lucien Portier and Edna Big George.
Dorothy was originally from Big Island First Nation. She attended Residential School with her younger siblings. Dorothy was protective and watched over her siblings, Marlene and Clifford while in those institutions. She was a strong, hard- working woman with a caring and loving spirit. Dorothy never lost her first language during this time. She and her sister Marlene were inseparable raising their children together.
Dorothy made a home in Dinorwic, she went to work everyday at the Dryden Tree Nursery and had many great memories and friends form her time there. She raised her three biological sons, but she also raised the neighborhood children as well. Her and Jim would open their home to anyone in need. All of the cousins and the other kids that lived on Metis Road knew she was a fan and supporter of what ever they were doing. But if you messed up she wouldn’t hold back her opinion either.
The nursery closed and Dorothy had to find another occupation. She attended Lakehead University where she trained to become an Ojibway Language teacher.
She worked at Waabshki Penasi School for many years. She was a strong influence on many of her students, she was loved by many. As her students became adults, you could see she was very proud of all their accomplishments. Dorothy was connected to a lot of people, especially “Her girls”, they described her as having a “heart of gold”. (Candace Esquega, Jenilee Williams, Jenny Brown and Donna Chief)
Dorothy was elected as Councillor of Wabigoon Lake and with that passion for education, and she was instrumental in the Adult Education program into the community.
Dorothy used the ability to speak her language for so many good things, after her years as a politician, she went back to school to learn to become a medical interpreter for the Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout. The winter driving became too much and she took a job back in her community. She worked years at the WLON Health Center as a Family Wellbeing worker until her battle with cancer made it difficult to keep the pace that she was accustom to.
Dorothy was a very active member of the Wabigoon Lake Womens Circle, she was always willing to help with prayers and ceremonies. Dorothy will be greatly missed by the women that loved her.
Dorothy and Paul had many adventures later in life, the cabin was a busy place, ice fishing in winter and watching her boys casting from the docks in summer. There was plenty of family meals and memories made at the cabin and the home on Railway Ave.
She was honoured to be a part of the NWMO Council of Elders and Youth since 2016. She formed valuable friendships and considered them family.
Dorothy enjoyed sharing all that she had, she collected medicines, and made some great lunches at the health center, soup was always on, but sometimes we had trouble giving the soup a name. Her loving and caring spirit will be greatly missed.
Lastly, Dorothy cherished her family. She loved her sons, Greg, Kevin and Jonathon unconditionally. Dorothy raised her boys to become strong, loving men who demonstrated the strength she passed on to them. She was so proud of each and every grand child and her great grand children. Dorothy loved sharing stories and pictures of their sporting events and accomplishments.
Don’t miss this opportunity to bring flowers, she loved yellow flowers.
A Traditional Service will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Community Hall until time of service with Elder Ralph Johnson officiating. Cremation to follow.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
