Mary Rose (Parisien) Morin, age 84, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Friday, August 16, 2019 at the Belcourt Hospital, Belcourt, ND surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with COPD, a lung disease.

Mary Rose was born on February 1, 1935 at the home of Fred P. and Rose Z. (Enno) Parisien in rural Belcourt. She was raised in the Catholic faith.  She had four siblings: Alice, Emma, May, and Albert. Her family nickname was “Beans” because she was so tiny when she was born and fit inside of a shoebox. 

Her first language was Michif and she was one of the last fluent speakers of Michif, which is a mixure of the Canadian French and Chippewa/Cree languages.  At the age of 9, Mary Rose had to attend day school and was forced to learn English.  She would then go home and teach her siblings English. She said this was one of the hardest and scariest things she ever had to do, but her mother did not want her children sent away to boarding schools, so they learned to speak English and only spoke their language in secret. Mary Rose attended school until she was called to care for her grandmother, Mary Enno. 

She was united in marriage to Clarence John Morin on November 4, 1961 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Belcourt. Together they had five children, Randall C., Sandra, Shelley, Sheila, and Radley. Clarence passed away at the age of 35, and Mary Rose raised their five children on her own.  She enjoyed taking her children to many community and family events such as parades, county fairs, picnics, and most importantly instilled the catholic faith including attending weekly mass and religious education.  Mary Rose was blessed with a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing current country hit songs.  

Mary Rose worked at the William Langer Jewel Bearing Plant in Rolla as a Jewel Inspector and retired after 22 years.  She then worked as a para professional at the Turtle Mountain Elementary School in Belcourt and retired after 18 years.  While raising her family and also working, Mary Rose decided to further her education by attending the Turtle Mountain Community College where she completed her GED and Associate’s Degree.

Mary Rose was an avid reader, reading anything from newspapers to magazines and books.  She enjoyed going to the casino, playing bingo, working on crossword puzzles, and watching her soap operas.  She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Each one held a special place in her heart. 

She was a strong woman of few words, but wise words, and was a great listener.   Mary Rose was a humble, kind, and friendly woman who loved telling stories and laughing with her family members and friends. Mary Rose will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed.

Mary Rose is survived by her sister, Alice (Steve) Renault of Dunseith; and a brother, Albert (Bev) Parisien of Belcourt; her children: Sandra (Robert) Monette of Rolla, Shelley (Chucky DeCoteau) Morin of Belcourt, Sheila (Gerald) Allard of Belcourt, and Radley "Tim" (Greg Wallette) Morin of Belcourt; seven grandchildren: Erin Perronteau, Justin Monette, Ember Decouteau, Rae DeCoteau, Kayla DeCoteau, Chelsi DeCoteau, and David Grant; and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mary Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Fred P. and Rose Z. Parisien; husband, Clarence John Morin; son, Randall C. Morin; and sisters, May Liggett and Emma Brown.

Services will be at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Belcourt, ND.  A visitation will begin on Thursday, August 22nd at 5 p.m. and the rosary will start at 7 p.m.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 23rd.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery.  A meal will be provided at the K.C. Hall in Belcourt, ND after the burial.  Come join us to celebrate Mary Rose’s life.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.