MCK offers condolences on the passing of eldest Kahnawake resident

09/14/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to offer its condolences to the family and friends of Cecelia Tsiononkeri Phillips Kirby, who died recently at the age of 106.

She passed away at the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre, where she had resided for the past several years. While there have been a small number of Kahnawa’kehró:non reach the century mark, it is fairly certain that Mrs. Kirby attained a level of longevity that no one else in Kahnawà:ke has reached in recent memory.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Kirby and her sons Norman, Frank and former Grand Chief Ronnie Kirby. Mrs. Kirby had 12 children in all, and was blessed with 46 grandchildren, 109 great-grandchildren, 82 great-great grandchildren and two great-great-great grandchildren. Current Ietsénhaienhs Rhonda Kirby is one of her grandchildren.

She is also survived by four siblings: Doris, Elizabeth, Nora and Mike.

Mrs. Kirby was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness since 1955. A service will be held this Saturday, September 19, 2020, and she will be laid to rest the following day. The MCK wishes to acknowledge a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life.