Frances Bighorn

Frances Cookie Doney Bighorn "Gamnéza A’ú Wį́yą" left this world on January 15,2026.

She was born in Poplar Montana February 3,1945 to Tom and Rose Doney.

Cookie grew up in Wyota, MT and attended school in Nashua until she graduated from high school. She then went into college at MSU Bozeman and received her BA in Business.

She later moved to Denver, CO where she married Charles Eagleman and had two daughters Cherie and Cissy Eagleman. She was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs while living in Denver. Cookie and Chuck moved back to Montana to raise their children, and to be closer to family. They later divorced and she met and married Dean Bighorn. Together they raised her first grandson Catlin Eagleman. She went to work at the Bureau of Indian affairs again but in Realty and then later for minerals for a few years and then finally she ended up moving into a position with law-enforcement for many years and there she became very close with all her coworkers. Her last job was with Global Geographical until she retired. Cookie enjoyed taking care of her plants, birds, and took great pride in her lawn and flowers. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and especially her love for her cats. She was known for making her pies, soups and bread. Many people across Fort Peck loved her cooking. Her favorite past time was playing machines and she sure had her lucky streaks. w3

Cookie leaves behind her daughter Cheryl “Cherie” son in law Israel Eagleman-Rodrigues of Poplar MT , Carlene “Cissy” Eagleman of Poplar, MT. Grandchildren Catlin and Hilary Eagleman of El Paso, TX, Alexx and Matthew James of Poplar, MT. Quincy and Dawnie Eagleman of Trenton ND. Jori Russell of Poplar, MT. Demiree Russell of Poplar, MT. Great grandchildren Taran and Wase James, Aroyal Russell, Chasidy Russell and Desmond Whitehead, Tegan, Luca, & Micah Eagleman, and Rylynn Crowe.

She is preceded in death by her great granddaughters Malaia “Sister” James & Tianna Redman. Parents Tom and Rose Doney, Adopted son Joray Four Bear and Adopted brother Charlie Four Bear, Brothers Jim and John, Sister Mary Alice Redman, and Big Sister Mary, Nephews, Johnny Dale Doney, John and Oscar Redman, and Kevin Hungry.

Cookie comes from the Doney, Shyface, White Hawk, Winyaƞ Suta, Turcotte, Berger, Paquin, Baptiste and Wilkie Famlies. She was very proud to come from The Nakona, Dakota, Chippewa/Cree people. She was loved by so many and she loved many and took everyone as family if we forgot anyone please forgive us. We love you forever and ever Grandma Cookie!

A vigil will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25th at 7:00 p.m. at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Jan. 26th at 11:00 a.m. at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Chelsea Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left using the guestbook below.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.