Devon Elizabeth MacKinnon Ottertail
Zaagatee’Aunda’Gaashiik
“Sunshine Through The Trees”
Devon has flown across the river and into the warm embrace of her loving father Everett. She sits with him now around the campfire under the watchful eye of the Creator and those who have crossed before her.
Devon Elizabeth MacKinnon Ottertail was born on January 8, 1983 and was a devoted and loving mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend. She fought a difficult and courageous battle against a very rare disease which took her away from us on the 3rd of May.
Devon is survived by her daughter Emily, her mother Danalyn, her brother Everett Dylan, her grandmother Margarette, as well as many relatives and friends from Dryden, Lac Lacroix First Nation and Thunder Bay. Devon was predeceased by her father Everett Ottertail, her grandmother Elizabeth Labott, and grandfather Daniel MacKinnon.
Devon was born in Thunder Bay and lived there with her parents for several years before moving to Dryden. While growing up, Devon loved being a big sister to Dylan, visiting with her cousins, competing in swimming and volleyball, and being involved in many social events. Devon attended school in Dryden and found lifelong friends. She was a tireless volunteer and kept Moosefest running in Dryden and was dedicated to the Farmers Markets in Dryden and Thunder Bay. Devon attended Dalhousie University where she published a paper on Economic Development on First Nations.
In 2002 Devon was blessed to become a mother to her beautiful daughter Emily who she loved and cherished always. Devon and Emily lived in Dryden where she worked at the Northwest training and adjustment board, at Dryden economic development, and as a pharmaceutical assistant. She later commuted to Sioux Lookout and Migisi Sahgaigan working in Economic Development. No matter where she worked, Devon made new friends and developed lasting relationships with her co-workers.
Devon and Emily relocated to Thunder Bay in 2015 to pursue fulfilling employment, schooling, and social opportunities. Devon began working for the Philanthropy department at Lakehead University and enjoyed it immensely. She was so happy to share the city that she loved with Emily. They talked and laughed every day. Emily was always her best friend. Devon also reached out to and loved her Lac La Croix cousins, she involved herself and Emily in cultural and religious practices of her community, who called her “little sister”.
Devon was overjoyed to be with old friends and meet new friends in Thunder Bay. She enjoyed travel opportunities to Prince Edward Island, Montreal, Alberta, Toronto and Las Vegas. Devon enjoyed camping, live music, big themed parties, thrift shopping, volunteering, pretty dresses. She loved visiting the Thunder Bay Country market every Saturday morning, dropping in on friends every Saturday afternoon, and Sunday brunches at Nook and the Sovereign Room with the brunch bunch.
Life is beautiful and cruel. We, Devon’s friends and family, are left with many questions. We can only take things one day at a time, living the best life possible. We will try new things and say I love you more. We will view adversity and hardships as learning opportunities. We will grieve and we will mourn, but we will keep enjoying life and we will do it for Devon.
The family would like to thank Lisa, Leah, Loretta & Ted, Joyce, Ellen, Jade, Karen, Julie and the many health care providers that assisted with Devons Care including the staff of the Intensive Care Unit of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Centre where she was a resident of room 9 for almost 11months. We are sure that the TBRHC staff would want you to know that Devon’s mother Danalyn fought every day and every hour for her recovery. She was an integral member of Devon’s medical team that tried everything possible to save her little girl.
A traditional funeral service will be held Friday, May 10th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in The Centre, Dryden.
Interment will follow in the Dryden Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Nook Restaurant, 271 Bay St. Thunder Bay.
Donations may be made to the Thunder Bay Shelter House in Devon’s memory on line or through Stevens Funeral Homes, PO Box 412 Dryden ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca
