
Josephine Vielle
Iitspak’kistakakii (Offering Above)
February 23, 1945 – March 15, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin ~ Josephine Vielle (Iitspak’kistakakii) on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Standoff, Alberta; at the age of 78 years.
Left to mourn her passing is her daughter Tammy Healy, Vanessa, Christa, Andrea, Louise (Callen); Grandchildren; Melanie (Lori), Kelly, Kyle (Vanessa), Kirsten (Tom), Marshall, Chelsea, Riley, Des, Wyatt, Teagan (Carson), Brett, Angel, Kalani, Mina, and Saffrin; Great Grandchildren; Kingsley, Kelis, Kyrah, Cashton, Louisa, Hailey, Declan, Kyson, Chrissy, Leland, Kellan and Kevin, Freddy and Cloud; Siblings; Geraldine (Richard), Stella, Gilbert (Shirley), Theresa (Alfie), Joyce; Brother-in-Law; Martin (Elizabeth); Sister-in-Laws; Noreen, Marlice (Andrew) and Jeanette; “The Golden Girls” - Edna Devine, Diane Bird and Special Sister; Geraldine Thunder Chief.
Josephine was raised on the Blood Reserve and attended the Standoff Elementary School and the St. Mary’s Residential School. Later in life, Josephine met and married the love of her life; Herman Vielle; they were an inseparable couple whom had loved each other very much. They both had built a wonderful and beautiful home for their family and a place where family went to visit and gather. After Herman’s passing Josephine continued on with the life they built for their children and grandchildren.
Josephine’s employment included working as a Post Master at the Blood Tribe Post Office, hired as a babysitter for some of the teachers whom were working at the school, she would make lunches for the children at the school with her co-worker Evangeline (Knife) Provost. Josephine also worked at the Blood Tribe Police Department, as a guard, dispatcher and greeter until her retirement.
She was self sufficient and had a green thumb – she liked planting and landscaping around her house, she took great pride in making her home look beautiful. Josephine would take the time to plant her trees; during the summertime she would often pick berries with her grandkids and friends, her sister Stella would often get mad at her and tell her to be careful that some bears might be around or in the area. She had special friends from the Riverside Colony, Bertha and Walter were very good to her and was welcomed into their home. She would often tell them “I need a favor” and would help her self to the eggs. They both did not mind.
In her younger days’, she would often take off down the hill and go visiting at her adopted parents house, George and Olive Black Water. Her sisters mentioned that she was accident prone and could be quite clumsy but that didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted whenever she wanted. Josephine was very helpful in their family home, she tended to do a lot of cooking with her mom; with all that experience she was known to be such a great cook. Everyone loved her cooking.
Josephine had a lot of friends young and old, she made friends anywhere that she went. She was outspoken, friendly, funny, bold and would have you laughing with all the funny things she said. Her nephews; Tim, Jon, Leon and Neal would always tease, scare or play jokes on her. Josephine truly loved all of her family and went above and beyond for them. Her nieces and nephews could always count on her support wether it be by attending their activities and helping with any and all fundraisers so their kids could enjoy their activities.
Josephine’s second home was in Siksika with Tammy, Riley and Chelsea. While being in Siksika she cherished her adopted children, and the friends she had there. She would often sneak away to go and visit whenever she had the chance and often invited Edna to come along. At home, Josephine was always found to be cooking and feeding everyone and was considered to be a great cook. Josephine was always on the go attending various powwows with her family and with her “Golden Girl Sisters”.
Josephine had various adopted family that included; Dale and the late Sylvia Low Horn Family (Lester,Cynthia (Ronnie), Cheryl (Herman), Rudy (Tammy), Junior (Doris), Ethel (Floyd) and Malina (Junior); Pat and Tanya Cross Child, Archie Big Old Man, Fred and Pam Rabbit Carrier, Louise English, Roman and Melissa (from Beebe Mart), Albert and Debbie Black Water, Sheldon Three Persons and Bertha Hofer. She was a mother to everyone, many were drawn to her due to her caring heart and kindness.
Josephine’s spirituality not only included being Catholic but had believed in our Blackfoot culture and way of life. She was an avid supporter of the cursillo and searches. Josephine had made her Cursillo in 1984, and continued being an active member of the cursillos and searches later in her life. She was honored to be a Rectora in one of the cursillos on the Blood Reserve and a Vice-Rectora at a cursillo that was held in Hobbema. Josephine and Herman were considered to be a “Ma and Pa” to the young search people. Josephine had many travels but one to note was when she travelled to Mexico (Guadalupe) for a pilgrimage; that was one trip that she had truly enjoyed. In 1976, Josephine had transferred into the Motohkiiks and was honored to be member and bundle holder. Josephine looked forward to Aahkoh’katsin, as she was a great supporter to family and friends, she would cook, and dance near family.
Her favorite hobbies and interests included sewing, beading, crafting, berry and sweet grass picking, and was quite the avid Calgary Flames fan; Josephine loved watching games and screaming at her TV.
Josephine was predeceased by her Loving Husband; Herman, Sons; Kevin and Colin, Son-in-law; Dwayne Healy, Parents; Sam and Elizabeth, Siblings; Bella, Samuel, Edmund, Martin, Martha and Catherine, Brother-in-Law; Lambert, Nephews; Marvin, Kerry, Robbie, Bradley, Kelsey and Grayson, Nieces; Rochelle, Nevaeh, Elita, Donna and Rene.
Extended families include; one living auntie Lena Chief Calf and family, Maggie Eagle Speaker Family, Amy Black Forehead Family, Leo Wolf Child and Family, Isabelle Spear Chief Family, and Annie Shot Both Sides Family. (The family apologies for any names that were missed)
Family and friends will be forever grateful and cherish all the fond memories of “our beautiful Josephine”. Jofafine will be sadly missed by all.
A Wake Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Monday, March 20 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Tuesday March 21 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in St. Catherine’s cemetery, Blood Reserve.
Iitspak’kistakakii (Offering Above)
February 23, 1945 – March 15, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin ~ Josephine Vielle (Iitspak’kistakakii) on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Standoff, Alberta; at the age of 78 years.
Left to mourn her passing is her daughter Tammy Healy, Vanessa, Christa, Andrea, Louise (Callen); Grandchildren; Melanie (Lori), Kelly, Kyle (Vanessa), Kirsten (Tom), Marshall, Chelsea, Riley, Des, Wyatt, Teagan (Carson), Brett, Angel, Kalani, Mina, and Saffrin; Great Grandchildren; Kingsley, Kelis, Kyrah, Cashton, Louisa, Hailey, Declan, Kyson, Chrissy, Leland, Kellan and Kevin, Freddy and Cloud; Siblings; Geraldine (Richard), Stella, Gilbert (Shirley), Theresa (Alfie), Joyce; Brother-in-Law; Martin (Elizabeth); Sister-in-Laws; Noreen, Marlice (Andrew) and Jeanette; “The Golden Girls” - Edna Devine, Diane Bird and Special Sister; Geraldine Thunder Chief.
Josephine was raised on the Blood Reserve and attended the Standoff Elementary School and the St. Mary’s Residential School. Later in life, Josephine met and married the love of her life; Herman Vielle; they were an inseparable couple whom had loved each other very much. They both had built a wonderful and beautiful home for their family and a place where family went to visit and gather. After Herman’s passing Josephine continued on with the life they built for their children and grandchildren.
Josephine’s employment included working as a Post Master at the Blood Tribe Post Office, hired as a babysitter for some of the teachers whom were working at the school, she would make lunches for the children at the school with her co-worker Evangeline (Knife) Provost. Josephine also worked at the Blood Tribe Police Department, as a guard, dispatcher and greeter until her retirement.
She was self sufficient and had a green thumb – she liked planting and landscaping around her house, she took great pride in making her home look beautiful. Josephine would take the time to plant her trees; during the summertime she would often pick berries with her grandkids and friends, her sister Stella would often get mad at her and tell her to be careful that some bears might be around or in the area. She had special friends from the Riverside Colony, Bertha and Walter were very good to her and was welcomed into their home. She would often tell them “I need a favor” and would help her self to the eggs. They both did not mind.
In her younger days’, she would often take off down the hill and go visiting at her adopted parents house, George and Olive Black Water. Her sisters mentioned that she was accident prone and could be quite clumsy but that didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted whenever she wanted. Josephine was very helpful in their family home, she tended to do a lot of cooking with her mom; with all that experience she was known to be such a great cook. Everyone loved her cooking.
Josephine had a lot of friends young and old, she made friends anywhere that she went. She was outspoken, friendly, funny, bold and would have you laughing with all the funny things she said. Her nephews; Tim, Jon, Leon and Neal would always tease, scare or play jokes on her. Josephine truly loved all of her family and went above and beyond for them. Her nieces and nephews could always count on her support wether it be by attending their activities and helping with any and all fundraisers so their kids could enjoy their activities.
Josephine’s second home was in Siksika with Tammy, Riley and Chelsea. While being in Siksika she cherished her adopted children, and the friends she had there. She would often sneak away to go and visit whenever she had the chance and often invited Edna to come along. At home, Josephine was always found to be cooking and feeding everyone and was considered to be a great cook. Josephine was always on the go attending various powwows with her family and with her “Golden Girl Sisters”.
Josephine had various adopted family that included; Dale and the late Sylvia Low Horn Family (Lester,Cynthia (Ronnie), Cheryl (Herman), Rudy (Tammy), Junior (Doris), Ethel (Floyd) and Malina (Junior); Pat and Tanya Cross Child, Archie Big Old Man, Fred and Pam Rabbit Carrier, Louise English, Roman and Melissa (from Beebe Mart), Albert and Debbie Black Water, Sheldon Three Persons and Bertha Hofer. She was a mother to everyone, many were drawn to her due to her caring heart and kindness.
Josephine’s spirituality not only included being Catholic but had believed in our Blackfoot culture and way of life. She was an avid supporter of the cursillo and searches. Josephine had made her Cursillo in 1984, and continued being an active member of the cursillos and searches later in her life. She was honored to be a Rectora in one of the cursillos on the Blood Reserve and a Vice-Rectora at a cursillo that was held in Hobbema. Josephine and Herman were considered to be a “Ma and Pa” to the young search people. Josephine had many travels but one to note was when she travelled to Mexico (Guadalupe) for a pilgrimage; that was one trip that she had truly enjoyed. In 1976, Josephine had transferred into the Motohkiiks and was honored to be member and bundle holder. Josephine looked forward to Aahkoh’katsin, as she was a great supporter to family and friends, she would cook, and dance near family.
Her favorite hobbies and interests included sewing, beading, crafting, berry and sweet grass picking, and was quite the avid Calgary Flames fan; Josephine loved watching games and screaming at her TV.
Josephine was predeceased by her Loving Husband; Herman, Sons; Kevin and Colin, Son-in-law; Dwayne Healy, Parents; Sam and Elizabeth, Siblings; Bella, Samuel, Edmund, Martin, Martha and Catherine, Brother-in-Law; Lambert, Nephews; Marvin, Kerry, Robbie, Bradley, Kelsey and Grayson, Nieces; Rochelle, Nevaeh, Elita, Donna and Rene.
Extended families include; one living auntie Lena Chief Calf and family, Maggie Eagle Speaker Family, Amy Black Forehead Family, Leo Wolf Child and Family, Isabelle Spear Chief Family, and Annie Shot Both Sides Family. (The family apologies for any names that were missed)
Family and friends will be forever grateful and cherish all the fond memories of “our beautiful Josephine”. Jofafine will be sadly missed by all.
A Wake Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Monday, March 20 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Tuesday March 21 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in St. Catherine’s cemetery, Blood Reserve.