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Gloria Hyde – January 16, 1944 – March 20, 2024
Gloria Frances (Greene) Hyde, 80, of Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation, passed away on March 20, 2024, with family by her side at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
A warrior of light and love with a warmth that turned any stranger into a friend, Gloria was a compassionate, generous woman who loved people dearly and will be remembered for her laughter, endless stories, and resiliency.
Gloria was born to Fred “Greenefeather” Greene and Doris (Mandamin) Greene, of Shoal Lake, Ontario, who brought her home in a horse and sleigh one wintery day in January 1944. She was raised in Shoal Lake until she went off to Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, later going to Shingwauk Indian Residential School in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She graduated from Nipigon-Red Rock District High School and then studied nursing at Lakehead University.
She prided herself on being a rebel during her later years in Residential School, which helped to establish her drive and work ethic and advocate for those in need. She loved and dedicated herself to her community and Christian ministries, handing out food to feed the poor in Winnipeg, participating in elders conferences, contributing to the Ki Gami Kamin – “We Will Find” Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School Committee, and attending local Indigenous events in Ontario or Manitoba. Over the years, she made many friends while working at Ash Rapids Camp, Tikinagan CFS, and Health Canada in Sioux Lookout.
She loved berry picking with her sisters and wild rice picking with her mother, Doris, in Shoal Lake. Memories of travelling and selling artwork with her father, Greenefeather, were ones she always cherished. Always open to new experiences, she once auditioned in Thunder Bay with her daughter Karen for the film Clear Cut. Most of those who auditioned were dressed to the nines, except for them, and Karen won a small part in it, much to Mom’s joy.
Gloria enjoyed travelling to Hawaii and Mexico and had numerous road trips across Canada and the USA. She loved travelling to Las Vegas with her sisters Francine and Julia. She had once won a trip to anywhere in the world through Bearskin Airlines, so she visited Trinidad and Tobago. She especially loved her trips to “the wall” at “Uncle Reg” (Club Regent Casino) with her family or friends and was always guaranteed to run into people she knew. All you needed to do was give her a quick call to pack a bag, and she’d be ready to go.
Despite Gloria’s health struggles throughout the years, her unwavering faith and trust in the Lord helped her overcome whatever came her way.
She is predeceased by her parents, Fred and Doris Greene; grandparents, Charlie and Matilda Greene; her older baby brother; sisters Hilda Major, Francine Lee, Julia Redsky; in-laws, Robert Major, Lloyd Redsky Sr., Larry Holmstrom and Susan Adams; cousin Steve Lawson; nephews Joey Major, Randy Lee and Lloyd Redsky Jr., grandchildren Nathan Fair; great-grandchildren Asia Tom; Payden, Jozerayna, Quinton Jr. Paypompee; and by ex-husband Joseph Morrison, and husband Gordon Hyde.
She is survived by her sister, Bertha Holmstrom, and brothers Fred Greene Jr., Stewart Greene, Bradley Greene (Patricia), and Carl Greene. She leaves behind her five daughters, Karen (Oscar), Ava, Carla (John), Lee Ann (Scott), and Rachel (Curtis). Gloria also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren: Rebecca, Ryan, Lori, Karlina, Joshua (Ashlee), Bryce, Josephine, Leila, Leroy Jr., Kisha, Desirae, Aaliyah, and Aayden. She was also blessed with thirty-four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins too numerous to name but acknowledge each and every one. She will also be missed by her furry grandbabies, Makwa and Peanut.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. We also send a Chi-Miigwech to the community of Iskatewizaagegan #39 for their love and care throughout the years. We are forever grateful for all the love, care, and compassion many people expressed during Gloria’s last days.
We love you, we will miss you, and we hope you are up there shaking it to Elvis with your sisters.
A viewing and small service will take place prior to cremation at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre in Kenora, Ontario, on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
A Celebration of Life and Interment at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery will occur later.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Jubilee Church or the Kenora Fellowship Centre in her name.