Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

AKWESASNE – Mrs. Sarah “Kwanen’tawi” Mitchell, 87, of 1840 River Road, Snye, unexpectedly passed away Thursday afternoon, April 5, 2012, at the Cornwall Community Hospital.

Kwanen’tawi was born April 4, 1925 in Snye, the daughter of the late John and Theresa Seymour Peters. She attended schools in Snye. On September 25, 1951, she married Mose Mitchell at the St. Regis Catholic Church. Mose predeceased her on May 20, 1988.

She worked for many years for Canadian Canners in Stanford, Ontario and cooked at the school in Snye for many years. She was a well-known quilt and basket maker, having made many beautiful pieces. Kwanen’tawi also enjoyed crafting and feeding the birds in her yard. She was a member of the Kateri Conference of Singers and Dancers, the Tri-District Elders, and the former Snye Elders and Homemakers Clubs for many years. She also was a member of the Snye Recreation and a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church. Kwanen’tawi also attended youth group camps for many years.

Kwanen’tawi is survived by her three children, William “Billy” and Diane Mitchell, Phillip “Jingles” Mitchell, and Ann and George Wheesk, all of Akwesasne, Quebec; her step-daughter, Charleen and Robert Lacey of Texas; her grandchildren, Leonee Mitchell (Wade), Iothore Wheesk, Darryl and Tami Mitchell, and Thomas Day; her great grandchildren, Lakeisha, Cash, Memphis, Kahrakwas and her baby boy Zade, Eric, Hayden, Ethan, Mia, and Aiewate; her great great grandchild, Chandler; and her step grandchildren, Sharon and Michael Senez and Heather and Keith Ryan.

She is also survived by her sisters, Harriet White, Josephine Lazore, and Rita Peters, all of Snye, and Julia and Rodney Jacobs, of Akwesasne; her brothers, Charles and Genevieve Peters and Richard and Elizabeth Peters, all of Snye; and many nieces, and nephews.

Kwanen’tawi was predeceased by an infant daughter, Mary; two sons, Robert and Terry; an infant grandson, Ian Joseph Mitchell; and two brothers, Joseph L. and Levi J. Peters.

Friend called at the Akwesasne Homemakers beginning Sunday, April 8th until a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Akwesasne.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider the Hogansburg/Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3 or the St. Regis Mohawk Ambulance Service.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.