Margaret Rose (McKay) Nepinak

It is with extreme sadness that the family announces that our beloved mother, sister, auntie and koko, Margaret Rose Nepinak (nee McKay), returned to spirit on Sunday July 18, 2021, at the age of 80 years.

Mom was born on January 19, 1941, in Pine Creek to Joe and Marie McKay and had 6 brothers and 4 sisters.  She was raised in Pine Creek and received her education at the Pine Creek Residential School.  In 1957 she married our father, Alec Nepinak and together they raised 4 children.

Throughout her life mom was employed by the Pine Creek Band and the Pine Creek School.  She worked as custodian for over 30+ years before retiring in 2006.  She also worked as a home care worker for the elderly and disabled clients of Pine Creek Health and briefly as a foster parent for West Region Child and Family Services.

Before her eyesight began to worsen, she enjoyed playing bingo, sometimes travelling to The Pas to play at one of their big bingos.  But her favorite past time was playing cards.  Before COVID, she could be found every night with her usual group of card players and special friends Liza Pangman, Norma Richard, Annette Beauchamp and Corrine Chartrand. 

Mom’s true passion was her family and her grandchildren, then later, her great grandchildren. Four years ago, we welcomed her first great-great grandchild.  While she never met Elijah in person, she always enjoyed seeing the photos and videos that were shared.  She had a huge heart and would do whatever she could for them.  Her special great grandbabies were Felix and Aubree.  While she loved all equally, these 2 were very special to her.  She got to FaceTime with Felix when she was in the hospital, and this made her very happy.  She missed them and always worried about them.

Mom was a residential school survivor.  She would recount some of her memories and while her time there was not always pleasant, she did credit the experience with teaching her the life skills she needed later in life.  In her younger years, mom was an excellent seamstress, she made much of our clothes as children, knitting scarves, socks, mitts, and many other things.  She was a meticulous housekeeper.  If the assigned chore were not completed to her strict standards, it would have to be redone.  She was the best cook, and we will all miss the family gatherings for Christmas, Easter and birthday dinners.
 

While her final hours were a difficult, heartbreaking experience to witness, it was a privilege to be with her as she drifted away peacefully.  She brought us into her world, and we watched her leave ours.

We will never measure up to the person our mom was.  Mom meant the world to us.  She helped shape the people we have become today.  We thank Creator every day for the time she was in our lives.
 

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Linda, Valerie, Alan, and Kelly (Dennis); sisters Evelyn (Walter) and Agnes, her good friend Joe Alec Mekish, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, her card playing buddies, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and many friends.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Joe and Marie McKay, her sisters, Edna Contois and Florence McKay, her brothers, Roger McKay Sr., Adolph McKay, John McKay, George McKay, Joseph McKay, Leonard McKay, and her grand-daughter April Nepinak-McKay.

A viewing will take place on Friday July 23, 2021, at Paull’s Funeral Home 506 – 2nd Street North Swan River, MB between 1:00 and 4:00 pm.  Due to COVID restrictions there is a limit of 25 people indoors.  

Funeral service will take place at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church in Pine Creek on Saturday July 24, 2021, at 2:00 pm with Father Napolian Suvakin officiating.  Interment will follow at OLOSS Cemetery.  Due to COVID restrictions there is a limit of 25 people allowed inside during church services but outdoors 150 people can gather and attend the graveside service.

To allow everyone the opportunity to pay their last respects in church, you may do so prior to the funeral service as we arranged to have mom at the church at 11:00 am.  COVID restrictions will apply.

There will be a meal of stew, soup, bannock, cold cut tray and desserts afterwards at the Elders Lodge.  There will be limited seating indoors and some additional seating outdoors, but due to restrictions, if seating is filled, visitors are asked to make their plate and exit the building.

Active pallbearers are David Nepinak, Aaron McKay, Desmond Mekish, Roger McKay, Mike Catcheway, Johnny McKay.

Honorary pallbearers are Mom’s grandchildren, Dave, Katelin, Candace, Lanze, Janice, Aaron, Sunni, Nikki, Jenelle, Lindsay, Alana.  Great grandchildren, Alec, River, Desmond, Shania, Cali, Kyra, Ryder, Alexa, Alyssa, Alayna, Tashton, Tasha, Tannah, Tanner, Jamie, Odin, Silar, Jody, Jenna, Braylynn, Felix, Aubree, Aleah.  Great-great grandchild Elijah.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Rose (McKay) Nepinak, please visit our floral store.