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Obituary ~ Mary Ann Cunningham, 1912-2010
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Mary Ann Cunningham Rogerson (nee Andrews) was born April 27, 1912 in Grouard, to Charlotte Castor (Beaver) and Andre Andrews.
Mary married Albert Bernard Cunningham Oct. 6, 1930. As a young newly married wife, Mary helped Albert raise many of his children thereby becoming her stepchildren. Mary and Albert went on to have 14 children together, and moved to various locations in the Lesser Slave Lake area for work.
Albert and Mary then moved to the Peavine Metis Settlement. While in Peavine, Mary babysat many of her step-grandchildren, many of whom enjoyed being at Mary and Albert’s home that they would visit often.
Albert passed away in June 1964. Shortly after Albert’s passing, Mary moved back to Grouard for a short period of time. Mary and the younger children still lived at home with her. Mary then moved to Swan Hills, Alta. where she worked at the motel as a chambermaid and at the Swan Hills Tavern as a janitor. While in Swan Hills, Mary bought herself a cabin, but chose to live with her son and daughter-in-law (Leonard and Ruth Cunningham).
In November 1967, she relocated to Quesnel, B.C. where she lived with her daughter, Doris Carifelle, for a short time. While in Quesnel, Mary met Alex Rogerson and they married Feb. 17, 1968. Mary enjoyed many happy years in Quesnel with family and many friends. To her grandchildren in Quesnel, Mary was fondly called “Ronnie Kookum”. She babysat for her sons and daughter, enjoying the special time spent with her grandchildren. Her children and family who lived in Alberta made numerous trips to Quesnel to come visit.
Over the years, many of Mary’s children moved back and forth from Alberta and B.C. and from B.C. to Alberta. Mary and Alex suffered a great tragedy when they lost their home to a fire. At this time, Mary and Alex moved into her son and daughter-in-law’s (Raymond and Irene Cunningham) home. Raymond and Irene took on the task of taking care of Mary and Alex. Mary and Alex then moved to the Peavine Metis Settlement in 1998 and lived with her daughter, Yvonne Beauchamp, for a short period of time before moving into the Pleasantview Lodge.
During this time, Mary’s daughter, Eunice Gauchier, stepped up to help with many activities for Mary and Alex such as doctor’s appointments and shopping trips. Upon Eunice’s passing, daughter Lilly Anderson helped in taking care of Mary and Alex. Upon the passing of Lilly, grand-daughter Brenda Tulloch helped with the care of Mary and Alex.
Throughout her years, Mary loved to see people laugh and made many jokes to see this happen. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten. We love you, Mom/Kookum.
Mary is survived by husband, Alex Rogerson, children: Flora Mearon, Howard (Jean) Cunningham; Raymond (Irene) Cunningham; Doris Carifelle, Leonard (Ruth) Cunningham; Rose King, Michael (Pauline) Cunningham; Ronnie (Geraldine) Cunningham, Larry (Connie) Cunningham; 79 Grandchildren; 167 great-grandchildren; 101 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great-grandchild, as well as numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary is pre-deceased by her first husband, Albert; parents Charlotte and Andre, daughters Yvonne Beauchamp, Lilly Anderson and Eunice Gauchier; sons Charles and Roland; step-daughters Louisa Cunningham, Maryanne Prince, Emilia Willier, Agnes Cardinal, Helen Hamelin, Mary Walker, Victoria Cunningham, Virginia Auger, Aline Chalifoux, Noella Cunningham and Mary Louise Willier; step-sons Edward, William, Pete, Joe, Fred, Sam, George, John and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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