Lorraine Joan (Smith) Ayoungman

Lorraine Joan Ayoungman (nee Smith) Maanstoya’ki (New Year Woman)

December 31st, 1945 – March 8th, 2023

It is with great sadness to announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and Godmother. Lorraine passed away at the Peter Lougheed Centre on March 8th, 2023 at the age of 77. 

Lorraine was a residential school survivor at Old Sun Residential School.  She also attended Arrowood School and then attended school briefly in Calgary. She married late Randy Ayoungman when she was 17, later marrying late Jonathan. Lorraine also attended Old Sun Community College in the early 90’s. She completed adult education courses as well as post secondary.   

Lorraine was a loving foster parent to many children whom she cared for many  years. She loved her culture and was a traditional dancer. She competed and won in numerous powwows, including the Calgary Stampede. She was well- known for doing the “twist”; she met and had her picture taken with Chubby Checker at the Deerfoot Inn.  Lorraine loved her country music and was a big fan of Elvis. She also loved to travel. She attended two WIPCE Conferences in Australia and New Zealand. She also travelled to California and Vegas.  Great Falls was her favorite shopping place. She enjoyed going to concerts, playing Bingo, scratch cards, crosswords, and watching Netflix. Her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Lorraine was dedicated to her employment at Chief Crowfoot School as an Educational Assistant for over 30 years. She made lifelong friends there.  She retired in June 2022 after online teaching during the Pandemic. She was also a Siksika Language and Arts and Crafts teacher. She cherished all her students.

Lorraine was respectful and kind to everyone she knew. We know she found her peace with God. Her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Lorraine was born to the late Charlie and Amy Smith on December 31st, 1945 at the Blackfoot Hospital. She is survived by her children Stafford, Adolph (Caroline), Wavil (Tessi), Randolph (Lynn), Tanya (Davis), Jasmine (CJ), and Kayla (Kane),Jill First Rider, and Hutch Sitting Eagle.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Tanis, Carlye, Natawnie, Tyler, Cheyenne (mother Claudine), Russell, Lianna, Ariel, Oakley, Hazlyn, and Halo, Hayden, Camilla, and great grandchildren Kdri, Landall, Sienna, Terrylance, Drevin, Tavelle, Tayvon, Cash, Arianni, Dario and Serenity. 

Lorraine is also survived by her siblings Ferris (Daisy), Dwight (Debbie), Marilyn (Delford), Cheryl (Adrian), Lenny and Special Sisters June Spotted Eagle, Yvonne Stimson and Judy  Running Rabbit; her sisters-in-law Elaine (Rod), Vivian (Phil), Angeline, and Tina, brothers-in-law Matthew (Georgina), and Teddy (Lucille).

Lorraine is also survived by nieces Ida (Herman), Diane (Lyle); Delaney (John), Holly (Drew), Sue (Donovan) Lori Ann (Alex); Lenora (Elroy), Melodie (Steve), Nora (Ed); ,Karia, Natasha (Candace); Ashley, Hannah, Julia, Mary (Scott); and nephews Tony, Ira (Lydia), Trevor (Sasheen), Adri (Jasmene), Nicholas; Jason, Cassius (Cara), Calvin, Dallas, Dillon; Enzio, Shawn, Reynold, B.J., Kent (Linnie), Tyson, Darren (Samantha), Ryan, Cody (Randa), and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Lorraine was predeceased by late husband Randy and then Jonathan. Also, parents Charlie and Amy Smith, in-laws Arthur Sr. and Nora Ayoungman, brother Leonard Smith, brother-in-law Arthur Jr. Ayoungman, sister-in-law Rosella Ayoungman, sister Doreen Wright, nieces Shirley Running Rabbit, Karen Solway, Pearl Runner, Zena Calf Robe, and nephews Jody Smith, Nathan Louis, Lance Smith, Brett Crowchild, Teddy Wright, Cory Runner and grandson Tommy Stimson. The family apologizes for anyone they may have missed.

Special thank you to: Strathmore Hospital, Claresholm Hospital, Peter Lougheed Center, and Siksika Home Care.

Wake Services: Siksika Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor, Wednesday, March 15th, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm (family) and 6:00 pm – 12:00 am (public)

Funeral Services: Siksika Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor, Thursday, March 16th, 12:00 pm and Burial at Canon Stocken Cemetery

Feast to follow: Siksika Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor                                                        

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