Elder Spotlight: Florence Cook and Mary Herne Share Memories

Upon my arrival at Iakhihsohtha, I looked and found two most beautiful sisters from Sugar Bush. My visit with these two women was so enjoyable and I didn't want our time together to be over. Mary Herne and Florence Cook are residents at the home for the elderly in Tsisnaihne. Florence has been there for 9 years already, while her sister Mary has been there 3 years as her neighbor. They are both happy with no complaints and many times visiting each other.

When July 15th rolls around next week, Florence will celebrate her becoming 84 years young. Mary will enjoy her 86th birthday on September 28. Mary's family consists of three sons and a daughter, Arthur, Raymond, Wilbur and Kateri. Florence has three sons and two daughters, Ted, Julius, Joe, Carolyn and Roberta. They also each have many grand children and greats.

They both spoke about their happy days as children. Each day was routine for Mary and Florence as they did chores on the farm along with their siblings. They tended to the garden, barn chores, and housework to help their parents. The life they had couldn't be viewed as rough or easy because they knew of no other way. The girls only went about their everyday work at hand. Mary and Florence attended school in Tsisnaihne in a one room school house that taught about 20 students in a day. Like in Kanatakon, sometimes the teacher was a nun. When not in school, Florence spent a lot of time watching her mother make baskets. It would only be expected that she would also be an excellent weaver throughout her life with her family. Florence became one of the best basketmakers during her spare time. She also helped her late husband Abe on their farm before she began to work outside the home. She worked as a home care worker in the community for 12 years until retirement.

Mary and her late husband James were both instrumental in the organization of the Post 1479. They, along with a few others established the Post 1479 Auxiliary and gathered and compiled the Legionaire list of Veterans. She explained about how much work went into this, but they were fortunate to have hard working and dedicated people who shared their cooperation. All this was coming about around the same time as the Seaway construction. The building for Post 1479 was being constructed nearly the same time in 1959. Another accomplishment credited to Mary and James was the organization of the Kateri Tekakwitha Circle. Mary remembers how she would collect names for the trips and if enough people would sign up, they could fill a bus and go. The Circle is still alive and still going strong. They felt that this year the trip would be going to Texas. Niawen for all your hard work! This shows your dedication and love for your people for sure.

Their enjoyment in life is now limited due to the conditions of their health and mobility, but these ladies still look forward to playing bingo. As younger women, they used to enjoy going to church on Sundays and going to fairs. At the fair in Hogansburg, they used to watch lacrosse games and cooking. The roads were all dirt roads and their mode of travel was horse and buggy, a fun time for all.

After tossing some Kanienkeha words around for translating, we were stumped on dumplings and milkweed. Mary and Florence then began to talk about disease, so many kinds now days. High blood pressure, diabetes and cancer are only three of many. They felt that the way people are eating out at restaurants so much isn't healthy. "When we were young our parents used to give us cod liver oil and mari kenie,' added Mary.

Well, niawenko:wa Wahiano:ron tanon Watsitsiaienni for your wonderful visit. I really enjoyed being with you both. Take care and enjoy each other each day.

Sesi