RACHELLE CECILE SOPROVICH (RIVEST)

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RACHELLE CECILE SOPROVICH (nee RIVEST) April 23, 1928 - September 23, 2014 Beloved mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend, Rachelle leaves behind a large family who will miss her dearly, including her sons Dan (Eileen), Marc (Sandy), Eric and Greg (Abigail), her daughter Susan (Sheldon), and grandchildren Matthew, Sarah, Kati (David), Nicole (Cam), Jordan (Olivia), Benjamin, Patrick, Dmitri and Alex. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, her parents Lucien and Emeric Rivest, five siblings and six brother / sisters-in-law. Born in Vimy, Alberta, Rachelle was raised in Pickardville until 15 years old when the family moved to Jarvie. Rachelle attended the University of Alberta to get her teaching certificate and later worked as a teacher in Westlock, Czar and then Provost. Rachelle met Bill Soprovich in 1950 while living in Czar, and they were married three years later. After living in Provost and Rimby, they moved to St. Albert for 14 years and then to Winnipeg. Rachelle lived in Winnipeg for most of her married life until she moved to Rosedale Villa in Edmonton to be closer to her brothers and sisters in 2009, where she welcomed new residents and enjoyed her special time with her family. Rachelle was an amazing and talented woman - a true renaissance lady. There was nothing she could not do - painting, arts, renovations, building, cooking, sewing, teaching, planting - and making a house a home. While in Winnipeg, Rachelle fine-tuned her artistic skills with teaching ceramics, taking art courses and creating works of art on canvas and later, in porcelain. Rachelle wanted to leave these final words as reminder of her: "Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there. And when you hear a bird's song or see a flower bloom, please, do not let thoughts of me be sad... for I am loving you as I always have." "In parting, I thank you all for being a part of my life and am proud that I am a member of this family." The family thanks the many individuals who provided love and support throughout Mom's life and her recent illness. Rachelle is gone, but never forgotten - she will remain always in our hearts. We love you Mom. A prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28 at Westlawn Funeral Home, 16310 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton and a funeral liturgy at 10:30 a.m. on September 29, 2014 at St. Joseph's Basilica, 10044 - 113 Street, Edmonton, AB. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 27, 2014