KING, Gavina

Gavina Marie King

February 27, 1958 – September 28, 2021

Gavina passed away suddenly on September 28th on the Blood Reserve. She is survived by her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, relatives and her many friends.

Gavina attended St. Mary’s Residential School and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. Gavina loved to work and held occupations in a wide range of areas that included Corrections and until her passing, was a heavy-duty electrician. She also joined the United States Army Reserve, and trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in the early 1990s; a connection to her Grandfather Nicholas King who served in World War I.

Gavina was a talented and competitive athlete and was especially proud of her time she played with the fastball team, the BTA Jays alongside her sister Carla. She was the back catcher and won various tournaments on the Blood Reserve and other Treaty 7 reserves; and as well as women’s leagues in Cardston and surrounding communities. She also played on curling teams with her sister Rhonda in bonspiels in southern Alberta. Later on, she enjoyed 8-Ball pool in the VNEA leagues in Calgary and Lethbridge. In 2010, her team won one of the Ladies Divisions in Calgary which earned them a trip to the Las Vegas International VNEA Tournament. She was also a huge sports fan, cheering on her favourite teams, the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders, and was a former season ticketholder.

She also enjoyed powwows and attended many with her parents when her father, Raymond, sang with the Blood Reserve Singers. After her parents’ passing, she continued to attend powwows to support her family and friends by accompanying her Aunties, Tsuaki and Annie Davis. Her mother, Isabella, taught her how to bead at a young age and was known for her beautiful intricate work. She worked on a lot of outfits for her friends and relatives on the powwow circuit which you see today.

Gavina loved to travel and would be ready whenever her friends and family called her for a quick trip and found herself in places such as Cuba and Hawaii. Hawaii held a special place in her heart because her parents, Raymond and Isabella, travelled there and she eventually resided there for a couple of years with her sister, Thelma.

Gavina was known for her great sense of humour and her quick-witted comebacks and always found ways to make you join in her infectious laughter. Her sense of humour was due to her nature as a good observer who later told entertaining and animated stories with her own twists and funny takes. Her quiet nature held up until she would crack a joke or share a funny observation.

She led a humble life but was wealthy in her friendships and her connections she held with her relatives which was evident by her generosity. She had friends from so many different backgrounds and ages which showed how much of a people person she really was. Although she did not have children, she doted on her nieces and nephews, as well as her relatives and friends’ children. Gavina was strong-willed but was always there for us in our time of need and would help us in any way she could. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Gavina will be greatly missed by her sisters: Thelma King-Murphy of Honolulu, Hawaii, Rhonda King-Blood (Charles Sr.), Carla Weasel Fat (Fred); and brothers: Klane King (Angela) and Carlton King of Toronto, Ontario; great-aunts: Mrs. Rachel Hoof, Mrs. Annie Davis; nieces and nephews: Pam (Danny), Cameron, Charmaine (Brandon), Kara, R.J., Sarah (Jermiha) and Charles Jr. (Tricia), Cherilynn (Austen), Izaiha, Brolin, Charlee, Urijah, Elijah, Alias, Jermiha Jr., Owen, Loralynn, and Aubrielle.

She was predeceased by her parents: Raymond and Isabella King; her brothers: Courtney, Raynard and Charlie; nephew, Neal; brother-in-law, Laurence; and sister-in-law, Marilyn.

She will also be missed by her extended families which include the Eagle Childs, Crow Chiefs, Eagle Plumes, Red Crows, Eagle Bears and Little Lights. Also, families from the Many Children and All Tall People Clans. The family apologizes for anybody missed.

The Wake service will be from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday October 4, 2021 at Legacy Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Blood Reserve (due to covid restrictions 50 people only). Interment to take place in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Blood Reserve.

To send a condolences go to www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.