Delphine Theresa Wapass was born October 5, 1955 in Saddle Lake to Lavina and Alec Moosewah. She was the 5th oldest of 9 siblings. Theresa attended Blue Quills Residential School for 10 years. She once stood up to a nun on behalf of her little brother Jimmy. She argued so well that the nun didn’t bother them after that. She would look forward to the weekends where her parents would come and get her. Theresa spoke highly of her upbringing and would often share childhood memories. One of her favourites to share was fetching a pail of snow in the middle of winter and boiling it to make fresh water. She was proud of her bannock making skills, and would share stories of her and her sister, Rose, making bannock at the age of 8.
Theresa had her first child, Terrance, shortly after finishing school. She raised him with the help of her mom and dad who also adopted and helped to raise their grandson, Travis. Theresa enjoyed going to dances with her nieces Denise and late Patsy. She was one of the best two-steppers in all of Saddle Lake and her and late Patsy were the dancing queens. She was fond of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn and could dance all night to them.
Theresa met Billy Wapass Sr. in the early 80’s. They shared 4 beautiful children, BJ, Terri Ann, Peter & late Windyboy. She adopted all of Billy’s children raising and loving them as her own. They were married on New Years Day in 1999 at their home in St. Paul. Theresa and Billy would together raise their grandchildren Billy-Ray, Billy-Dean, Saylisha, Eric, Windyboy and Billy. Theresa adopted both Rowdy and Krissy Bird Rattler as her own as well.
While Theresa and Billy mourned their infant child, they started travelling the handgame trail and finding healing along the way. While in Browning Montana, Theresa was starstruck by a little boy running by who resembled her late son Windyboy. She followed the little boy meeting his mom, MaryLee and shared her story of her late son. This created a bond and sisterhood that would last a lifetime. Theresa was an avid Stick Game player. She would travel all over Canada and USA going as far as California and winning many championships in her travels. Theresa and Billy made many friends and adopted family along the way.
Theresa was a regular at the bingo hall. It didn’t matter where she was, she always found a bingo hall. Whether it be in St. Paul, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Calgary, Fort Hall, Tulalip, Lethbridge, Muckleshoot, or CDA. She had her superstitions, usually involving salt. You would find tons of lucky charms in her bingo bag.
She never hesitated to lend a helping hand. You would often find her front and center singing her loudest. In 1992, Theresa and Billy made the first ever Handgame CD alongside her nītims George and Andrew and chakos Florence. She had the opportunity to sing those songs from that cd alongside her chakos and grandsons Billy-Dean and Trey at Billy’s 2nd memorial. Theresa loved being a mom, aunt, kokum and chapan. She was usually surrounded by her kids and grandchildren. Even though she ruled with an iron fist, she always made sure they knew she loved them. She had a special bond with each of them. She will be forever missed.
Theresa is forever loved and deeply missed by her Children Bretner James (Alicia), Terri Ann (Randy), Billy Jr. (Chelsea), Billy Dean, Peter, Roderick (Donna), Billie Jo (Adrian), Travis (wife), Bill, Sonia, George (Cheyenne), Rowdy, Tina (Jesse), Robbie Moosewah, Peter (Janet) and Wallace (Dolly); Sisters Margaret Rose (Joe), Doris, Cora, Cindy, Eva, Delia and Linda; Brother Jimmy (Brenda); Aunties Suzanne (Joe), Evelyn (Phillip), and Justine; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and adopted family members throughout Canada and USA.
She is predeceased by her Husband Billy Wapass Sr.; Parents Lavina and Alec Moosewah; Children Windyboy Wapass, Terrance Moosewah and Maureena Thunderchild; Brothers James, Norman and Charlie Moosewah; Sisters Mary Louise, Alice, and Christina.
A Wake will begin on Saturday, August 9, 2025, starting at 4:00 p.m.at Ayiwakes Cultural Centre, Saddle Lake First Nations, Alberta.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Ayiwakes Cultural Centre, Saddle Lake First Nations, Alberta.
