Mary Genevieve Badger, a member of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, formerly of Grande Prairie AB, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at the Valleyview Hospital, at the age of 61 years.

Mary was born in High Prairie, AB on June 23, 1955. She was raised in Sturgeon Heights and Sexsmith, AB, settled and raised her family in Grande Prairie, and moved to Edmonton in the later years of her life.

Mary took great pride in her career as a dietitian aid for The Grande Spirit Foundation, Pioneer Lodge, and Grande Prairie Care Centre. She enjoyed working with the residents of the lodges, which was evident in her great sense of humor and nurturing nature.

A prized accomplishment of hers was becoming a certified heavy equipment operator while raising her six children as a single parent, following a dream of hers and proving her determination and independence in succeeding in anything she put her mind to.

Mary’s sense of humor and contagious laughter was distinct and is sure to be missed by those who knew her. She had the type of humor that laughs with people, and not at the expense of others. She was a nurturer and friend by nature. She always had a pot of coffee on for company and believed that people deserve the benefit of the doubt and make mistakes, but forgiveness is far more important.

Mary enjoyed the community she created for herself in Edmonton, especially with the Native Seniors Centre where she would sew, talk Cree, and have access to things and events having to do with her culture and identity as a Nehiyaw woman. Mary enjoyed Family most of all; she made that evident in her conversations about her life and family. She enjoyed spending time walking, camping, traveling, and visiting and making memories that will be cherish by those touched with her life.

She will be sadly missed by her children: Shawn, Jonathan, Gladwyn, Jesse, Mary-Jo (Dereck), and Allison.

She will be greatly deeply missed by her grandchildren who were all considered the gems in her life and always were referred to as ‘kohkom babies’ as they saw her in the same light and the love that she bestowed on them: Ashley, Riley, Blaiden and her kisik-oos (little sky); siblings: Ralph (Janet), Chickees, Hector, Alvina (David), Rosalie, Leona, Doreen, and Rosanne (Dean); many cousins who were considered and saw her as a loving sister; many nieces and nephews that looked at her as another mom to home to come to.

Mary was predeceased by her parents: Roger and Delphine Badger; brothers: Daniel, Christopher and Doo-shy; as well as her extended family of Aunts and Uncles.

The Viewing will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017, at 2:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie, AB (10005 107 Ave.).

A cremation will take place, with ashes to be scattered in Sturgeon Heights, Alberta.