Florence David “Kaheriiostha”

Mrs. Florence “Kaheriiostha” David, age 73, of 408 Cook Road, Hogansburg, died Tuesday evening (February 17, 2009) in the emergency room at Massena Memorial Hospital from injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident.

Florence was born August 2, 1935 on Cornwall Island, the daughter of Louis and Eva Y. Jacobs Point. She attended schools on Cornwall Island. She married Jack J. David on August 30, 1952 at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael K. Jacobs, SJ, officiating. Jack predeceased her on September 16, 2004.

She was a Home Health Care worker for many years. Florence grew up at Akwesasne with basketmakers “all around her.” She learned from her mother, Eva, and her aunt, Mary Adams. Eva’s mother and grandmother were also talented basketmakers. Carrying on the family tradition, Florence specialized in a range of fancy baskets including sewing baskets, strawberry baskets, and button baskets. Although she used dyes for her strawberry baskets, she preferred the natural colors of the ash splints, which she combined with the fragrant smell of sweetgrass. For many years she wove lacrosse sticks at Cornwall Island. She recently retired, but continued to make her beautiful baskets while teaching her granddaughter, Dana David. She also did beadwork, quilting, leatherwork, and sewed ceremonial clothing including ribbon dresses. Florence was a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church and a member of the American Legion Post #1479 Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing bingo and going to the casinos “just for fun.” She enjoyed being surrounded by her family.

Florence is survived by her 6 children, Jeffery M. David, Ottawa; Jacqueline Lazore and her husband Angus “Baiah”, Snye; Christine “June” Vedder and her husband, Dana, Syracuse; Jack James “Jimmy” David, Hogansburg; Julius David, Hogansburg; Joey “Tehoronio” David and Natalie,

Hogansburg; by 14 grandchildren: Anthony, Kateri, Arisawe, Jay, John, Sherry, Mary Ann, Stephanie, Dana, Evan, Al, Alexandra, Karl and Landon; and 28 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 6 sisters, Madeline David, Cornwall Island; Cecelia Point, Cornwall Island; Judy Swamp and her husband, Jake, Hogansburg; Charlotte Thompson and her husband, Richard, Cornwall Island; Pauline Oliver and her husband, John, Rochester; Clara White and her husband, Donnie, Rooseveltown; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

She is also survived by her best friend, Julian David.

She was predeceased by 3 children, an infant daughter on December 21, 1952, Dave David in infancy and Jerome Joseph David on August 17, 1965; 4 brothers, Percy Point and 3 in infancy; and 2 sisters, Audrey Thompson and Dinah Point.

Friends and family may call at her home beginning Thursday 7:00 PM until 9:00 AM on Saturday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. George H. Belgarde, SJ. officiating. Spring burial will be in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.