MARY ROSE ST. PIERRE RIOTUTAR

Nov 15, 1927 – Oct 18, 2025

Mary Rose St. Pierre Riotutar, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025, surrounded by family and friends in Watsonville, California. Mary was one of eight children, Harry, Elizabeth, Albert, Joseph, Josephine, Mary Rose, Maxine, and George, born to Roger and Mary (Pepin) St. Pierre. Mary, an enrolled member of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe, was raised on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in Montana.

Mary was blessed with 9 children, the first of which was Frances Dahilig (Jim ♱) Morsette of Rocky Boy, Montana, daughter of a former marriage to Gene Dahilig. While in California, Mary met Rafael Matias Riotutar, Sr. of the Philippines. Mary and Rafael were married in Vancouver, Washington and settled in Santa Cruz, California. Together they had eight children; five sons, Rafael "Big Boy" (Chavela) Riotutar of Galveston, Texas, Teddy Riotutar (♱), Bruce (Linda) Riotutar of Watsonville, California, Brian Riotutar (♱),  and Timothy "Tim" Riotutar (♱); and three daughters, Tina (Ron) Riotutar Sakamoto, of Kauai, Hawaii, Melissa Riotutar Tabag and Mitch, of Watsonville, California, and Peggy (Domie) Riotutar Aquino of Rocky Boy, Montana.

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her beloved children, her 24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 20 great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and the extended family of friends who will miss her dearly.

Mary had a generous heart and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need with comforting compassion. She loved to volunteer and was very involved in social work within the Santa Cruz Community. She was a founding member of the Santa Cruz Indian Council and along with her children formed a successful Red Road Celebration for 13 years and a lifelong Caballeros Dimas-Alang. Her commitment to her tribal customs was instilled in her children and will continue in honor of her legacy. In her later years she enjoyed painting and spending time with her friends within her senior community. Upon her passing, it was her wish to return to Rocky Boy, Montana.

Wake services and ceremonies will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rocky Boy, on  Monday, October 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Her funeral will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic church, with burial to follow Lookout Hill on St. Pierre Road. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.