With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Elsie Mary Dorinda Turcotte at Maples Care Home on January 3 2021 after a long battle of dementia.
Elsie Mary Dorinda Turcotte(born Richard) was born on December 23 1939 to Florence and Augustine Richard. She was the first of 10 siblings: Olvine, Linda, Evelyn. Adele, Leon, Paul, Hubert, Mike, and Arnold.
She graduated from UBC as a teacher and married a great musician Frank Turcotte who was known for fiddling. They had 2 boys Maurice and Joseph that married two sisters Corina and Marcie. Elsie was family orientated and always was there for her family. She cherished her two grandsons Jordan and Francois.
Not only was she an excellent teacher who worked many hours after hours with her passion for teaching; she was a true respected elder : She participated in aboriginal smudges, knit blankets, made numerous dream catchers, hand crafted necklaces, personalized Christmas stockings, and even wrote a book.
What makes her stand out from the crowd is she volunteered her time to churches before during and after the catholic mass, she volunteered at bingo halls, care homes and many fiddling events many of which were at the Métis club. She loved to dance and music uplifted her, especially Fiddling Frank’s CDs.
She hosted many family gatherings and always fed anyone that was near, and she was a fabulous cook! Not only was she generous with her time and food but she had a heart of gold and a personality that glowed. She enjoyed card games with family. I can hear her competitive laughter. She exuded so much love and always had time for special relations with her nieces and nephews and their spouses and their children. She was a true role model for everyone . She gave selflessly. She was a proud anishinabe woman who knew who she was and loved her heritage. She enjoyed baking bread and bannock frequently, gardening, canning many vegetables and meat and made the best soups for the soul.
She loved All of her family. She will be missed tremendously by family and friends.
Due to restrictions with gatherings at this time the family hopes to have a gathering in the summer to celebrate the wonderful amazing woman that Elsie Turcotte was.
3 thoughts on “Elsie Turcotte”
So sorry for your loss. My parents, John and Jeanette Goertzen, were good friends of your mom and dad and spent many Friday nights at the Métis Club together. I’ll hold you in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
This incredible lady changed the world and shaped us to be fierce advocates and warriors for our people. She was always the one to make being “Indian” okay and I remember her challenge to me as a young woman to be fierce and to do better. Her courage to chase her dream was remarkable and my son now speaks of her encouragement to him to continue his education. She has been missed and she will be missed but her legacy is one that makes us all proud. There are not enough words to speak to all of the lessons she shared and all of the people she touched. I am sad and I miss her.
My selfless, loving, beautiful sister Elsie!!
You will be missed but I know that our Creator has called you home and my heart and soul are at peace knowing that your happiness is eternal.