Caroline, daughter of Ralphael & Demoley Bear (Nee Dorion) and wife of the late Luke Dumas left us suddenly November 24, 2010 at the Nursing Station in Pukatawagan, Manitoba. Caroline was born Wednesday, April 24, 1935 at Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan and was united in marriage to Luke, August 27, 1951. They were blessed with fourteen children of their own and their special daughter Victoria Francois. Luke passed away January, 1984 and mom was left to raise the children on her own, but this left her with wonderful memories of the places which they shared with their children. Mom and dad both loved the outdoors and spent endless hours along with their children savoring what mother nature had to offer. Their favorite places were Duck Lake, Loon Lake and Mile 149 where they had a cabin. After dad passed away, mom would take the family to Mile 149 whenever she could, but when the train stopped running its Lynn Lake route they couldn’t go as often as they would’ve loved to. This camp was their ultimate haven, each child had their own story to tell about 149. The children were raised at Neeya in a log cabin with only one table and one bed for the parents. Mom filled the home with love, it was small but secure, we still feel the warmth today of growing up as one big happy family in a one room cabin. Our mom was a devout Catholic and taught all her children about the creator and would teach them to pray before they went to bed. She passed on her teachings to her grandchildren. Mom strongly believed there was life after death and would often say “even if I leave you my children, I will always be with you in spirit. One day I will be with dad again, keep praying and someday we will be all together again.” She believed in the power of prayer. Mom was a strong woman, who was the matriarch of the family, with a big heart and was always willing to give. She fed everyone that would walk into her home, her favorite meal being fresh bannock and home made soup. It was also her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s favorite meal too. They all loved Kookum’s bannock. She often reminded her children that they should not hurt people, if someone hurts you, don’t defend yourself, just turn and walk away. This would be the most important teaching the children would apply to their lives. It would become a real struggle for them and at times they would get really hurt but would always remember this teaching from both parents. Caroline’s grandchildren were her greatest joy. She had a special name for each one of them and she loved each of them unconditionally. She never favored anyone, she always had enough love for her big family she was so very proud of. Her little trailer on L.A. Avenue was always packed with her family. Sundays were her favorite, spending all day with her grandchildren at her picnic ground having wiener roasts, marshmallow roasts and playing with them. She would often be seen at her sweatlodge sharing her knowledge and wisdom with her grandchildren and teaching them about respect and loving each other. Love, being the greatest gift she would give to each of us. No matter how far her children would move, she would always call and check up on them, their visits she would look forward to, especially her daughter Marie. She would look forward to her visits during the summer. Mom had friends everywhere, from every walk of life. She welcomed everyone and was accepting of everyone and every living thing on this earth. She had special friends from her childhood she never forgot about, her special friend Gertie Montgrande was one she often mentioned. Mom was the last member of her immediate family to pass away. She reminded her children that she had lost her parents and all her siblings, but that her children would still have each other. Be strong and care for each other, don’t hurt each other, and most of all, love one another. She always emphasized on her son Ralph. Mom raised him and took care of him to the day of her passing. Ralph was born special and mom would never allow him to be taken away to a specialized setting for people with disabilities. Mom and dad had tried it when he was younger, but they did not like the treatment of him so they brought him home again. Mom made the girls promise her that they would look after Ralph until it was time for him to join her in the spirit world. Mom became Ralph’s life, she was his hero and no one could take that security away from him, except the creator, he would say. As she got older, mom would share that teaching with him saying, “my son, I will always be here for you, only God can take me away from you.” A promise she kept until the day of her passing. Until mom became ill, she was very active in the community and worked endlessly volunteering in different local organizations, and battling with alcohol and drug issues that affected her community. She would give her all and prayed the rosary every night with her daughters, praying extra hard for the healing of the community so that the children could have security in an alcohol and drug free environment. Mom would look forward to each evening when her girls would come and gather to pray the rosary, a regular gathering for them. Her hope was that one day the community would come together as a healthy alcohol and drug free community, one where everyone helped one another. Our mom, loved and honored each daughter-in-law and son-in-law, proud that her family was so huge. The loyalty, respect and love they showed mom will be cherished forever. This respect and love extended to her children’s friends too, and they became her friends too. She would say she did not have enough boys so she adopted special sons, Irvin Pronteau, Kevin Whyte, Ray Anderson, Wayne Moore, Randy Swanson and Miles Bighetty. They would make her laugh and would entertain her. Kevin’s wife Valerie would always bring her special gifts and they all were accepting of Ralph and would make him laugh. Ralph would make mom and her sisters laugh because he would call Val his Moonyaskiew. Yes, mom had lots of friends and yes they will all miss her. Her homecare team at Nikawiy Health Centre especially Marcel Bighetty who gave their all for the health and well being of mom and Ralph. These are the ones who were the biggest help and who the children would like to acknowledge this day. Mom, we love you and miss you. Our hearts will be broken until we meet again. Our golden link is gone, God has proven to us that he only takes the best. We will continue with your teachings and when we gather to pray we’ll know that you are right there with us, leading us as you always did. We’ll take care of your special children, Ralph, Laura Rae, Wayne, Yogi, and Yvonne too, for we know you loved us all. And yes mom, James your Cheemoochi and Sonny your Oskineekis will be taken care of too, for you loved them like your own and they’re ours too, as well as all of late uncle Leo and auntie Mary’s children, especially Hanson and Sarah Jane’s family who lived next door and ensured mom was okay and granddaughter, Miranda who also lived next to her. Mom is survived by her children, Ralph Dumas, Victoria Francois, Annaliese Dumas, Marie and Bill Oxman, Sandra Rhodes, Joyce (Leon) Bear, Wayne (Karen) Dumas, Glenn (Serena) Dumas, Betty (Edward) Bear, Yvonne (Gordon) Caribou,Diane Bighetty, Flora (Ray) Jorgensen, Elly (Art) Atkinson, Yogi (Bill) Bear, and their families, special adopted daughter, Anne (Solomon) Bighetty, special adopted son Gordon (Irene) Bighetty, Laura Rae (Billy), Tanys (Dan), Arlen (Jennifer), Lorna (Gordie), Lorraine (Frances), Earl (Cynthia), Gary (Tiffany), Nola (Clayton), Elliard (Mindy) and all their families, special friend, uncle Willard Kilpatrick, adopted sister, Myrtle Morin, niece, Bernadette Young, Nephew, Henry (Mariah) Cook, adopted daughters, Caroline Bear and Anne Fourstar and families, special friends,Gertie Montgrande, all her children from Sandy Bay, Agnes Pranteau, Ernie and Angelique Ray, Raymond Anderson, Pelegie Linklater, Theresa Bighetty, Flora J. Castel, Lucille Caribou, Marie Adele Colomb, Joel Molin, James Hemauer, and their families, extended family, the Michels, Ballantynes, and Linklaters of Pelican Narrows, the McCallum, Morin, Dorion, Chartier, McKay families, Marie(Sonny) Ballantyne, Bella (Lloyd) Flett, Cecilia Linklater, Roseanne McCallum, Roland Dumas, Gordie Dumas, Gilbert Dumas, Helena Bear and their families, as well as other extended families from South Indian Lake, Nelson House, Cormorant, Grand Rapids, as well as many family and friends too numerous to mention. Caroline was predeceased by her husband Luke Dumas; adopted children , Baby Marie Rose Dumas, Marie Rose Cross, Luke Victor Dumas; parents, Ralphael (Demoley) Bear; parents-in-law, Alex Dumas (Jeanie), Flora Colomb; sisters, Hariette (Henry) Mcallum, Josette (John Louis) Morin; brothers, Phillip (Marie Rose) Bear, Jean Marie Bear, Moise (Genevieve) Bear; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leo Dumas, Mary Dumas, Willie Dumas, Raymond Dumas, Kathy McKay; daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, Rose Bear, Gordie Bear, Judy Bear, Bobby Morin, Timothy Rhodes, Patrick Bighetty; grandchildren, Krystal Morin, Kristoffer Don Dumas, Gerald Dumas, Dre Bear, Keyon Moore, Beaudre Dumas, Alan Bear-Morin, Pascal Dorion, nieces and nephews,Jane Ray, Yvonne Aldcroft, PV Bear, Archie Bear, Christopher Morin, Roy Mcallum, Marcel Bear; as well as other extended family members too numerous to mention. Wake services were held Monday, November 29, 2010 and Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Pukatawagan Community Hall, Pukatawagan, Manitoba. The funeral service for Caroline was held Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 10:00 am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pukatawagan, Manitoba with Father Susai Jesu presiding. Interment followed at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Pukatawagan, Manitoba. Pallbearers were Arlen Dumas, Kristoffer Oxman, Jeff Dumas, Brett Dumas, Deiter Caribou, Tim Jorgensen, Riley Bighetty, Lanny Dumas. Honorary Pallbearers were All of Caroline’s children, family and friends from Sandy Bay, Pukatawagan, Granville Lake, Grand Rapids, Pelican Narrows, The Pas, Nelson House, South Indian lake and Leaf Rapids.