Marie Eleanor Healy

Marie Eleanor Healy (nee Duck Chief) (Moo-twis-sti-ski-naki : All Snakes Woman), lovingly known as Sweet Marie, age 87, of Siksika Nation, Alberta, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026.

Marie Eleanor Running Rabbit was born on September 8, 1938 at the Blackfoot Indian Hospital to Rosario (Running Rabbit) Duck Chief (Maa-stooh-ki-to-pi : Good Rider) and Emily Blackwater (Aah-soh-moot-staki), Marie was known for her humour and outgoing personality. She attended Henderson’s Secretarial College and went on to a career with Indian Affairs at the Blackfoot Indian Hospital, Cluny School and finally retiring from the Crowfoot School.

She was a loving mother and is survived by her children: Jenny Goodin, Robert (Ann Marie) Sparvier, and Sandra (Steve) Sparvier-Loewen, Rosario (Samantha) Duck Chief and children, Jennifer Black Kettle, Darren (Rhonda) Healy and children, Sam (Shannon) Healy and children, Clinton (Pearl) Healy and children, Tomaline Wadsworth and children, Bernadine Red Crow (Kirk) and children, Leeanne (Tim) Healy and children, Bruce Healy and children and the many children who were placed in her care. Her grandchildren: Holly Solway and children, Sylvan (Nicole) Breaker, Katelin (Paul) Breaker, Darcy Black Kettle, Robin (Jaren) White Quills, Kristen Black Kettle, Jayson Black Kettle, Karalie (Todd) Red Old Man, Richard Sparvier, Savanna Sparvier, Jayden Loewen. Her great grandchildren: Akira, Colton, Naomi, Cera, Alec, Ava, Darcelle, Donovan, Raden, Zoey, Charli, Reiko, Diana, Alexander.
Also survived by her brothers: Herman (Ida) Duck Chief, Norman Running Rabbit and Robert (Judy) Running Rabbit, sisters: Floria Duck Chief, Jackie (Clarence) Many Guns, Veronica Smith, Cecilia (Wolf Shoe) Raweater and her extended family throughout Siksika, Piikani and Kainai. The families of Duck Chief, Running Rabbit, Healy, Scalplock, Spring Chief, Doore, Rita Frank’s family, Bear Chief, Margaret Three Suns’ family and Cecile Eagle Speaker and family, Lila Cranebear’s family, Coradelle Crane Bear’s family, Blackwater, Eva Little Moustache’s family, Mark and Peter Strikes With a Gun and their families, Louise English’s family, Bastien, Croweagle, Youngpine and The Siksika Elders Lodge Residents.
The family apologizes for any other families that we may have missed.

She was predeceased by her husbands: Tom Healy and Robert Sparvier, her parents: Emily and Rosario Duck Chief, her siblings: Ann (Levitt) McMaster, Gabriel Duck Chief, June (Hugh) Duck Chief/Francis, Adele (George) Cardinal, Charlie Duck Chief, Richard (Lorna) Duck Chief, Geraldine (Melvin) Red Gun, Fraser (Dorothy) White Elk, Arthur (Ernestine) White Elk, Ralph Little Youngman, Jack (Elizabeth) Little Youngman, and Cecilia (Wolf Shoe) Raw Eater. Her grandson: Merlin Drew Goodin Breaker.
Known for her passion for bingo, Marie brought joy to everyone she met. Her kindness and dedication to family will be deeply missed.
The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, donations, The Siksika Elders Lodge Staff, Siksika Home Care, Siksika EMS, Strathmore Hospital, South Campus Hospital, Father Naveed, and to Thom’s Funeral Home and everyone that helped to give our mother a beautiful send off.

Wake services will be held at the Piiksapi Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbour on Sunday March 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday March 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Holy Trinity Church on Siksika Nation in Cluny, AB.

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