Matilda Brass of Key First Nation passed away at the Canora Hospital on August 21, 2013 at the age of 78 years. Matilda was born on February 12, 1935 at the Key First Nation to Harriet Brass and Fred Crane. Matilda attended school at St. Phillip's, Gordon's and Prince Albert. Throughout her life, she lived numerous places, but spent most of her life at home on the Key First Nation. Miss Matilda spent her time enjoying life, always jumping in a vehicle with one of her children, grandchildren, or neighbors, or anyone really. She enjoyed visiting, laughing and teasing, watching sports, cooking, watching game shows, gardening, church activities, attending ceremonies, and of course, cheating at Kaiser and SkipBo, or going to the casino. Matilda was often called upon to help in the communities in different ways throughout her life. In recent years, and even up to her last hospital stay, she was active on many boards: Good Spirit School Division Language Advisory Board, YTC Elder's Advisory, Painted Hand Casino Partnership Ltd.; Fort Pelly RCMP Police Management Board, and various committees at Key. Miss Matilda was also crowned the first ever Key Carnival Queen a few years back. Matilda was predeceased by the following: several siblings in infancy; mother Harriet Brass; father Fred Crane, brothers Gordon Papequash, Ernest Brass, and Ronald Gordon; sister Linda Gordon; grandchildren Shawn Brass in infancy, Lora-Jean Brass and great grandson Ian Brass, and Ivar Brass. Matilda is survived by her 10 children, 35 grandchildren, and 36 great grandchildren. Merle - Kelly, Jamie, Jeremy, Charity; Eleanor (Stewart) - Jacqueline, James, Darcy; Arlene (John) - Howard; Ivy (Peter) - Cher, Gregory, Candace; Pearlene (Lynn) - Shawn, Sean, Saul, Sloan, Chantelle; Robert (Erin) - Dana, Lucas, Robert Jr.; Ferlyn (Marianne) - Joshua, Nikita, Liana, Ferlyn Jr, Skylar; Bernelda (Bruce) - Toni, Jaycee, Allison, Natasha; Dale (Denise) - Erica, Ryan, Nathan, Callie; adopted daughter Jeanette (Patrick) - Damon, Pism, Catlyn. She is also survived by special friends Karen Keshane, Pearl Papequash and Clarice Brass; special sister Leona Papequash; special grandchildren Desiree Brass and Tyler Brass; her adopted siblings Harriet & George Poochay, and Julia & Henry Poochay and her special honey David H. Cote. She will also be sadly missed by her many other nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and "sweethearts", too numerous to mention. A Wake Service was held at the Saulteaux Plex Hall, Key First Nation on Friday, August 23, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. with Pastor Allan O'Soup officiating. The Funeral Service took place on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Saulteaux Plex Hall, Key First Nation with Pastor Alberto Zepeda officiating. Interment followed in St. Andrew's Anglican Cemetery. Those unable to attend are invited to sign an on-line guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora (306-563-5671).
