December 29, 1951 August 18, 2024

Mary Ann Gagnon (MAG) started her journey on August 18, 2024, with her loved ones by her side. Her passing was unexpected, resulting from a compromised immune system. MAG was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1978, when she was 27 years old. MAG lived by the motto: “with pain comes strength.” It was this strength that allowed her to continue doing the things that she loved for many years. Mary Ann was an enrolled member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She will be remembered for her fierce love of her family, dynamic personality, and dedication to her community.

MAG loved spending time with her family and friends, singing karaoke, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, photography and playing cribbage. She was a Minnesota Vikings fan and enjoyed organizing the football boards, especially when playing against the Packers. Mary Ann’s commitment to her community was extraordinary. She worked for Grand Portage for many years before retiring in 2019. Her jobs include the Tribal Council offices, Casino General Manager, Trust Lands, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and Grand Portage Museum Director. She generously volunteered her time by organizing the Grand Portage Rendezvous Days Powwow, Annual 4th of July Picnic, Deschampe Family Reunion and Easter Seals Snowarama. She was a member of the Grand Portage Trail Riders and was involved with many other community activities and events. She is tremendously loved and will be missed. Mary Ann’s spirit name represents her. She was fiercely independent, with enough strength and fortitude to thrive as a lone wolf. An extremely social person, she also drew strength from her pack, and by taking care of her family.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughter Linda White (Lance); grand children Brandon Deschampe-Morrison (Elizabeth), Jenna Olson-Dahl (Randy), Emma White, Selena White; great-grandchildren Tristan, Keira, Maya and Myenna; siblings Rosie Novitsky (Rick), Larry “Fish” Deschampe (Janice), Allan Deschampe and Marlene Deschampe. MAG had many special friends and family: Dana Logan and family, Paula Schaefbauer, Shaunna Wood, Melvin “Bun” Gagnon, Butch Deschampe, Joe Deschampe (Joe D.), Bobby Deschampe, Ruth Mestas, Chris Kern and countless nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Norman Deschampe Sr., Irene (Hendrickson) Deschampe; siblings Norman Deschampe Jr. (Debbie),SallyDeschampe, Diane Deschampe and two infant brothers.

We celebrated Mary Ann’s life on Thursday August 22, 2024, at the GrandPortageCommunity Center. If anyone has any questions or would like to reach out, you can contact her daughter Linda White at 651-398-2280.