Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Tsiionkwanonhso:te Nursing Home on Cornwall Island, Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Marita (Hopps) Skidders of 23 Skidders Road, Cornwall Island; age 78 years. Beloved wife of the late Alex Skidders. Dear mother of Lorraine Gambill (Ernie), Honey Georgina Skidders (late Kyle MacLeod), Richard (Sheree) and Matthew (Dawn). Predeceased by four sons, Charlie, Lawrence, Alex Jr. and Brian. Cherished grandmother of 36 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends Betty, Howard and Rita. Survived by her sisters Florence Benedict (Ernie), Alice Jacobs (Joe) and Julia Roundpoint (Benny) and three daughters-in-law Margie, Marie and Julia. Predeceased by her parents Alex (Sakoiewatha) Hopps and Cecilia (Kahontinehson) Lefebvre, one brother Harry (Margaret) Pyke, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Marita resided on St. Regis Island with her husband and children. She was an avid farmer and provider for her children. In 1960, Marita re-located to Cornwall Island, where she began employment as a cook at Kinnears Nursing Home. She enjoyed working at the hot lunch program for Akwesasne Mohawk School. In Marita’s later years, she devoted herself to the seed and tree distribution for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne department. Marita enjoyed gardening, basket making, washing corn and spending time with her family. It was important to Marita to pass on her knowledge to her grandchildren, to ensure they know how to survive by gardening, canning, cooking, baking and farming. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, November 3, 2012, at the St. Regis Church. Burial followed in the Family Cemetery, Cornwall Island.

Funeral arrangements under the care and direction of Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Homes, West Branch, 20 Seventh Street West.