It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Bella Mistaken Chief A’pa’naki (Butterfly Woman). Bella passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on the Blood Reserve on June 28, 2026, at the age of 76, surrounded by her loving family.
She will be profoundly missed by her devoted husband, Bert Mistaken Chief, and her children: Kim Healy (BJ), Heather Black Water (Jr.), Marilee Mistaken Chief, Reesa Healy (Joseph), Mel Healy (Bill), Jill Mistaken Chief, Roberta Mistaken Chief, Dickie Mistaken Chief, Josh Healy (Jasmin), Paula Cross Child (Calvin), Tanya Wolf Child (Lance), Sandy Healy, Michelle Healy (Justin), and Sophia Healy. She also leaves to mourn her adopted children, Everett Wolf Child (Crystal) and Kristy Weasel Moccasin, and her goddaughter Ellie Creighton.
Bella was a proud grandmother to Tiffany, Missy, Demi, Shelby, Cassy, Buddy, Arthur, Brad, Lucas, Radison, Sarah, Allie, Tessa, Danni Rae, Tyson, Tatum, AJ, Meghan, Leila, Payton, Jyson, Tsi’katsii (Carter), Layla, Yariah, Johanna, Cole, Jaylin, Weslin, Aiden, Zakyra, Ruckus, Raider, Alissa, Dayzlynn, Mckaida, Erin, Logan, Scarlett, Ava, Caitlyn, Kaedan, Connor, Christa, Tawny, Daleyn, Cash, Everest, Ethan, Ecco, Bronzer, Everly, Emma, Elana, and Autumn.
She was also blessed with her cherished great-grandchildren: Alycia, Rataya, Linkin, Kyrie, Daniel, Tahlia, Torin, Theo, Grama’s Texas (Jaxon), Kai, Cohen, Paisly, Sage, Jessa, Greylynn, and Andreas.
Bella is also survived by her siblings: Del Healy Sr., Sheila Healy, Jessalyn Page (Armand), Robert Healy (Christine), Gloria Wells, Dorthy, Theda (Floyd), Carol (Natassia), Evans (Patty), Ivan (Juanita), and Sheldon Day Chief; her mother-in-law, Teresa Mistaken Chief; sisters-in-law Claudia Red Gun (Dusty) and Rebecca; and brothers-in-law Duane (Paulette), Danial (Teena), Marvin (Lydia), Lawrence (Sissy), and Charles (Leanne).
She was predeceased by many loved ones who were waiting to welcome her home. Her son Radford Healy and parents Arthur Sr. and Betty Healy. Auntie Annie Day Chief; Granddaughters Kaira and Christie Marie; Grandsons Phillip Mistaken Chief, Adam Healy, RJ Heavy Shields, and Wyatt Day Rider; Siblings Arthur Healy Jr., Winston, Jordan, Lila, Patsy, Burton, Fern, Terry, Richard Thunder Chief, Darrien Day Chief, Rita Tallman, Sylvia Eagle Child, Louise Chief Body, Marie Hunt, Gilbert Healy, Blair Orr, Della No Runner, Mildred Jerry, Wilhelmina Little Bear, Francis No Runner, Josephine Soop, Wildon Weasel Moccasin, John Weasel Moccasin, Kendall, and Raphael; Great Aunt Maggie Hinkle, Brenda Mistaken Chief, Bill Mistaken Chief, Buddy Mistaken Chief, and Samara Chief Moon. We sincerely apologize if we have unintentionally omitted anyone.
Bella was born on October 7, 1949, in Cardston, Alberta, at the Old Indian Hospital, to Arthur and Betty Healy. She was raised in Old Agency alongside her five sisters and seven brothers, where she developed the strength, resilience, and warmth that would define her life.
She balanced glam and grit with ease. Bella loved dressing up and styling her hair with her sisters and was just as happy pulling on a pair of boots and holding her own alongside her brothers at rodeos and horse races. She had an undeniable passion for horses and loved riding, barrel racing, and roping. A gifted athlete, she excelled in sports, enjoying skating and playing fastball for the Old Agency Blues.
While growing up, Bella cherished the close bond she shared with her three beloved cousins, Gloria, Catherine, and Della, who held a special place in her heart. Together they spent their summers riding horses and swimming at the Weasel Moccasin water hole. During the winter months, they would watch her brothers play hockey and often travel back and forth between the family farm and Gloria's parents' home in Old Agency.
Bella also loved listening to The Supremes and dancing groovy whenever her favorite songs came on.
From a young age, Bella helped her parents during Sundance, where she developed the strong family values that guided her throughout her life. After becoming a mother, she continued this cherished tradition with her first four children. Later she met the love of her life, and they began their life together, becoming inseparable. They went on to build a beautiful blended family. Bella and Bert lovingly embraced each other's children as their own, and together they welcomed three daughters and a son.
Bella and Bert were both proud members of the Blood Reserve Riding and Roping Club. Together they enjoyed traveling to British Columbia for getaways and to watch Bert play hockey. She also enjoyed cheering on her sons Dickie and Josh while they played hockey in their younger years. She was a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, where she loved watching George Strait perform with Gloria and Dorothy and often attending the INFR. She was everyone's biggest fan.
In her early years of education, Bella attended St. Paul's Residential School before moving on to a Mormon placement school in Edmonton for high school and later graduating from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. She continued her education at Lethbridge Community College, graduating from the Native Education Program on November 12, 1991. Determined to continue learning, she later completed the Early Childhood Diploma Program at Mount Royal University, earning a place on the Dean's List. Bert and Bella spent many late nights together completing assignments and finishing projects.
Bella began her career with KBE at Saipoyi as an educational assistant, where she worked alongside Connie Wells and DeeDee Black Water. She dedicated many years to KBE before retiring. Bella loved teaching and took great pride in watching her students learn, grow, and succeed.
Among the many things she did, Bella treasured spending time with her children and family. She enjoyed crafting, golfing, beading, sewing, fishing, feeding the ducks, visiting the casino, going to local bingos, and playing cards, especially with her in-laws. She shared a very special bond with her sister Lila and her son Radford and would always look forward to celebrating each year with them both. All wearing their birthday party favors, surrounded by family and friends. She loved spending time with her cherished fur babies, Diesel and Sweetpea, and many evenings were spent staying up late with Bert watching their favorite programs, Touched by an Angel and Highway to Heaven.
Her humor and laughter could fill any room. Whether she was laughing with her sisters, joking in Blackfoot, or teasing her grandchildren with her silly jokes, she brought joy wherever she went. She loved trying out the latest slang her grandchildren used, even if she never quite got it right, though she always said it with confidence.
One memory that is often shared is when Bella believed "LOL" meant "lots of love" and would lovingly add it to the end of nearly every text message she sent, even the ones where it perhaps didn't quite belong. It became one of her many endearing quirks and remains a memory that continues to bring smiles and laughter to those who loved her.
Mom lived her life with kindness, grace, and an open heart, always making sure her family knew how much they meant to her and were deeply loved. Keeping with Blackfoot tradition, she went on to pass her name, Butterfly Woman, down to her granddaughter Layla, creating an offering for her spirit to carry on. Her legacy of love, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family will live on through the many lives she touched and the family she so lovingly built.
Bella was loved and cherished by many, including her extended family of the Healys, No Runners, Eagle Childs, Jerrys, Chief Bodys, Weasel Fats, White Feathers, Day Chiefs, and Mistaken Chiefs.
A Wake service will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at OLD AGENCY HALL, Standoff, Alberta.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at OLD AGENCY HALL, Standoff, Alberta. Interment to follow in One Spot Cemetery, Blood Reserve.