Aileen Joseph
After a courageous fight with uterine cancer and COVID-19, our matriarch, Aileen “Kanennakene” Joseph, in her 80th year (Oct 5, 1941 - April 29, 2021) started her journey back home to the sky world. Devoted wife of 60 years to James Joseph. Beloved mother of Sheri, Mike, Gary (Tammy) and Sheena. Special Grandma to Gavin James, Alexa Aileen, Brayden, Brody, Graycee, Jordi, Shane (Katie) and Amanda. Great Grandma to 7 great grandchildren. Sister of Carl Farmer and Pauline Donovan. She will be dearly missed by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as all of her MMIWG family. Predeceased by parents, Norman and Annie (Laforce) Farmer; children, Jimmy, Shelley and Ivan “Jiminy”; sister Nancy Burning and son-in-law Roger “Buck” Henhawk.
Since 2004, Aileen became a fierce advocate for her late daughter, Shelley, who is one of the thousands of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She first became involved in the Sisters in Spirit initiative at the Native Women’s Association of Canada when former President and adopted daughter, Beverley Jacobs, invited her to Ottawa. She initiated the many walks, rallies and vigils at her home community at Six Nations. Aileen connected with so many family members who called her “a second mom” of MMIWG across Turtle Island. Aileen’s strength, love, compassion, and kindness will always be honoured and remembered. She leaves us with her wise words: “Strong walls may shake, but they don't fall down. And always remember LOVE STARTS WITH US”!
A private family service will take place at Hyde & Mott Chapel, R.H.B. Anderson Funeral Homes Ltd., Hagersville on Tuesday May 4, 2021 with cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juravinski Cancer Centre, Miles To Go Cancer Support and Ganohkwasra. www.rhbanderson.com