Christianna Annie Wesley
Aka Christine Wesley, 88 of Marathon, entered into eternal peace on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Sudbury Regional Hospital.
In the last days before her passing she was surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren and their partners, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, 34 in all. Her last days were filled with stories of love, lots of laughter, hand drumming and songs.
Known to many as Chris, she was born in a tepee on July 07, 1927 in Moose Factory, Ontario, daughter of the late George and Sophia Butterfly. When Chris was a toddler, her family moved to Missanabie and after the tragic death of her mother in 1934, Chris along with her younger siblings entered into Shingwauk Residential School in Sault Ste. Marie, where they would remain until each reached age 16.
Chris moved to Nipigon where she later married James Wesley. Dad told us that while she was in school he sent her a wrist watch for Christmas and said “I wanted to give her time to think about marrying me”. Together they moved to Marathon where they raised their children, worked, lived and loved for the next 53 years.
Chris was a member of the Anglican and Parkland Pentecostal churches. Her pioneer friends and church peers brought great joy and happiness to her. Chris was known for her lively and energetic daily walks, no matter the weather. She greeted everyone by name or nickname and had a phenomenal memory for the history of Marathon and it’s residents, often surprising people by wishing them happy birthdays.
She was predeceased by her “perfect for her” husband of 53 years, James Wesley (2000), daughter Juliana (1951), son Lloyd (1993) and all her siblings Mary, George, Thomas, Caroline, Julie and Clara.
She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughters, Nancy, Gloria, JoAnn (John), Faye and Holly (Mike); 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday July 30 at 11 am at the Garden River Community Hall, Garden River, Ontario. Cremation has taken place and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Hearing Society.
