Mae Cecelia "Betty Ann" Kinney-Chevalier, age 85, of Keshena, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. She was the last full blooded Menominee Indian, born on June 16, 1929 on the Menominee Reservation to the late Louis and Cecelia (Opinesa) Kinney (Kiniew). In 1949 Mae was united in marriage to the late Gordon V. Chevalier at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Neopit. In 1967, they moved to Chicago, where Mae lived until returning to Keshena in 1990. Education was extremely important to her. After earning a Bachelor's of Arts degree from NAES College, she started working as a teacher. She loved teaching children, but also enjoyed working with senior citizens both in Chicago and later on the Menominee Reservation. She served on the American Indian Business Association Board of Directors and was a member of the Chicago Indian Community. Mae was always very family oriented and loved family cook outs. She was a great cook and baker, and her family loved her baked bread. Mae was a wonderful woman who will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Mae is survived by: five children, Patricia Mendoza of Keshena, Beatrice Chevalier of Middle Village, John E. (Francine) Chevalier of Middle Village, Mary A. (Edward) Post of Keshena and Randy J. Chevalier of Keshena; a daughter-in-law, Joan Chevalier; 20 grandchildren, Tony, Troy, Connie, Nicky, Laurie, Manuel Jr., Mae, Fransisco, John, Mary, Beatrice, Maurice, Macksie, Moneejon "Girlie", Nicole, Vernon, Patricia, Cecelia, Nathan and Jennifer; 64 great grandchildren; and 30 great great grandchildren. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, including special nieces, Ruth (Sonny) Waupoose, LeeAnn Nacotee and Dory Grignon, special nephews, Ronald (Doris) Delabrue, Milton (Cookie) Delabrue, Orland (Romaine) Delabrue, Clyde Delabrue, Preston (Donna) House, Weston House and Michael House; great-nephew, Michael D. Waupoose; great-nieces, Alecia Waupoose, Lauren Stoehr and Romaine Waupoose; as well as friends, Susan Miller and Esther (Herman) Frieson. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Gordon V. Chevalier, Sr.; a son, Gordon Chevalier, Jr.; a granddaughter, Kateri; a grandson, Shawn; her parents; 13 brothers and sisters, including Mary Jane Delabrue, Gus Kinney and Mildred Kinney-House. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Neopit with Rev. David McElroy O.Praem officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Michael's Parish Hall in Keshena from 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28th, 2015 until the procession leaves for the church on Monday. A parish wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
