August 9, 1934 – February 15, 2018

Caroline Fortier nee LaRue/Casimir

Born August 9, 1934 in Kamloops, BC passed away peacefully at Royal Inland Hospital on February 15, 2018. Survived by her children: Hubert (Alona), Leslie, Edith, Yvonne (Kevin), Josie, & Ivan; sister Flo van Alstyne, brother Leonard Falardeau, grandchildren Dawn, Brendan, Tawny, Christopher and Hubert Jr and great grandchildren Cyrus, Justice, Declann & Kyra Fortier; great, great grandchild Silas; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives. 
Predeceased by her husband Clarence; Hereditary Chief Andre; grandparents Dave & Elizabeth (Lizette) Casimir; parents: Hubert LaRue & Frances Casimir; son Charles Eugene Fortier; daughters Theresa & Denise; and sisters Nellie and Adeline, brothers Louie and Jackie.

Caroline loved her family and friends and was always concerned for the well-being of those around her and did anything she could to make the community a better place. She lived with her grandparents after her father passed away and was a survivor of Kamloops Indian Residential School. She travelled with her grandparents in the summer picking berries and other foods. When she played ball she made a home run on a bunt. She used to babysit a lot of the kids from the community and many of them – around 40 kids sometimes – would come to our house to play sports and she found a way to feed them all.

She used to buy clothes from the Eaton’s catalogue or sew family clothing (pedal pushers with fancy checkered or flower design pockets) & quilts out of old coats – made with love & care; canned deer meat, salmon, vegetables, crab apples; anything we needed, she could do it, always with a smile & glad to see us happy. Letting the kids help her make bread even when only 2 years of age and up, baking cookies, cakes, pies, berry picking – saskatoons, soapallali, currents, raspberries, gooseberries, chokecherries, etc. She loved playing scrabble and kismet. Many times she could be found watching slow pitch or fastball games in Chu Chua, Barriere, Kamloops, Little Fort, and Lillooet that family was playing in. Telling stories sometimes with a message of what was expected of the kids or advice to help us out, or in loving remembrance of family gone on to the Spirit World.

She loved classic tv shows such as Anne of Green Gables, Beverly Hillbillies, nature, wild life, education shows, cooking, classic comedies, although at times the remote could be a challenge. She loved gardening (had her own flower garden – made sure to water flowers every day), reading, listening to jukebox oldies and classic country. Bird watching was one of her favourite pastimes – making sure the hummingbirds and chickadees had enough food. She appreciated all the little things in life and was thankful for all she had.

Mom was diabetic and loved her treats – she said “just like a bear”. She loved lemon meringue pies, chocolates, jello with fruit and whipped cream, homemade cakes, cookies and mashed potatoes with gravy. Later in life she struggled with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Loved to travel to places she would see on tv – flew to Ft McMurray – was the first time flying, gold panning in Barkerville, enjoying walking along Mad River. She grew up with haying & horses, & wagons She would always remember the old ways, offer food or beverages, sometimes items a person might need, smile with kindness & love, appreciate a person for who they are, teach by showing, respect for all living things, helping out without being asked, appreciative of all kindnesses shown to her – our Mom, best friend, teacher, love always.

Wake to start on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 11:30 am at Simpcw Spiritual Centre, Chu- Chua, BC
Wake to follow on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Tk’emlups Moccasin Square Gardens (Old KIB Gym), Kamloops, BC

Celebration of Life Services:
Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 10:30 am at St Joseph’s Church, 200 Chilcotin Road, Kamloops, BC (No viewing by request)

Burial to follow at Tk’emlups te Pen Pen (St Joseph’s cemetery)

Feast to follow at Moccasin Square Gardens

Special thank you to Royal Inland Hospital staff, nurses and doctors, Barriere Diagnostic & Treatment Centre staff, Urban Native Health Centre, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, Simpcw First Nation, other surrounding communities, Qwemtsin Health Society, High Country & Interior Health home support services, family and community members for the excellent care of Caroline.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
 

• Date : 2018-02-15
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.