Thora Jean Old Woman

Nii too wa kii - Thora Jean Old Woman

Sunrise: May 11, 1994

Sunset: September 11, 2023

It’s with profound sadness that we announce our Thora Jean started her journey to the happy hunting grounds on September 11, 2023. Thora was born to Miles (Ethel) Old Woman and Sherrrie (Eldon) Yellow Horse on May 11, 1994.

Thora was loved by all and envied by most for her beauty and kindness that only one other possessed, which was her beloved baby sister, her other half, her twin and her best friend Tee (Teisha). For all that knew our Thora, knew she didn’t like drugs and didn’t take anything of that nature. We believe she died from a broken heart because just minutes before she left us, she was in immense sorrow and was crying for Tee. Her heart was beyond repair even after life-saving measures had been taken. Thora’s destiny wasn’t of this world after Tee passed only 10 months ago. Her heart was broken into too many pieces and beyond anyone’s support or love to mend knowing that she’d have to travel this world without her best friend. Thora lived a lifetime at her young age, she was a daughter, sister, girlfriend, mother, widow, friend, and auntie. She was an accomplished writer and had some poems published in a book. At a very young age, she wanted to run in princess pageants to overcome her fear of public speaking and was a fantastic powwow dancer. Thora graduated high school and went back to upgrade her studies in her later years. She has always worked hard for her babies and was supposed to start a new job the day of her passing.

Thora had a very gentle voice that was reminiscent of her late grandma Doris. We will miss that voice, her warm hugs, and her infamous love you more. Please keep her babies in your prayers and remember them on every special occasion. Thora leaves behind her babies: Frances, Vicky, David, and her adopted babies: Oleanna, Daystar, Eloise, who called her mama “Foura”, Her boyfriend Treyton Running Bird, Grand Parents: Elsie Winnipeg, Patricia Yellow Sun, siblings Tyler, Mitchell, Kato, Matthew Beaton, Brendan Potts, sisters: Nichole, Taelynn (Russ), Quannah, Chloe, Jaelynn, Jaimsy, Shania and Jamie. Aunties and uncles: Everette Olds, Roberta Olds, Roberta Oldwoman, Carle Vaile, Jamie Fitzgerald, and Kellie Fitzgerald

She loved and appreciated belonging to a blended family because she was loved by her step-parents and their families as their own as there was no distinguishing herself from who she called mom, dad, auntie, or uncle.

Thora leaves to mourn her mom Ethel Winnipeg’s family including her uncles: Hector (Rhonda), Harry, Renwick (Laurie); aunties Rebecca (Douglas), Carole, Andrea, Stephanie, and Jacqueline. Thora will also be lovingly missed by her dad Eldon Yellow Sun’s family including uncles: John (Leslie), Dwayne(Gabriella), Jason, Benny Aunties: (Auntie Mom) Kari (Dustin), & Marcia (Rick); and her Godparents Casey Maguire & Susan Bear Chief.

As a baby Thora would often cry and paw at her auntie Lenny’s bosom, so after countless “no’s” her auntie mom gave in and fed her alongside her sister Renette, to the horror of all the dad’s. This created a stronger bond, and why many didn’t understand their relationship in later years. Auntie Lenny wasn’t auntie but mom, so we’d like to acknowledge her mom Lenny Big Tobacco, brothers Wyatt Calf Robe, Drake Calf Robe, and sisters Renette Calf Robe & Lain Wolfchild/Big Tobacco.

Thora was an Iikskiinaapooka and will be dearly missed around the camp by her Horn Society aunties and uncles, we ask that you keep them in prayer as well.

Thora joins her late husband Preston, her sister Teisha, her brother Farrell, grandparents Doris Olds, Gary Many Guns, Marjorie Yellow Horse, Joe Olds, and Jim Fitzgerald plus numerous loved ones that have gone before us.

It’s so heartbreaking to have to make this death notice so soon after Teisha but we want everyone to return to our old Blackfoot ways. Mourn our baby for a while, but don’t get lost in that grief. Please seek out your elders, counselors, pastors, and church leaders because we sometimes get lost in death and can’t focus on life and living. Our people didn’t celebrate death. It’s going to be hard, but we can’t keep doing this. Hang onto each other for comfort and visit one another like we used to so when something like this happens we won’t think of the what ifs, this is something Thora would want. We’d like to thank everyone for their love and support during this trying time and know that she was deeply loved by all who crossed her path.

Thora belonged to a huge family including the Eagle Rib Clan, Many Guns Clan, Winnipeg, Mayfield, Yellow Old Woman, Turning Robe, Janvier, Scanie, Little Chief, Pretty Youngman, Low Horns, McMasters, Reeds, Three Suns, Eagle Speakers, Old Woman, Blacks, family from the USA the Fitzgeralds and extended family.

We apologize to anyone who we missed and invite you to sit with us for a two (2) day wake on September 16, 2023 at her home, September 17, 2023 at the Siksika Memorial Arbor, following her funeral on September 18, 2023. Feast to follow at Arbour.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thora Jean Old Woman, please visit our floral store.