Marie “Mary” Mathilde Hope – Rapp, of Vulcan passed away in the arms of her children on May 7, 2005 at Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 84 years.
Mary was born on October 11, 1920 at Tunis,Tunisia, North Africa to Louis and Thérèse Rosenlecker. Mary was noted for having pulled out of unstable Tunisia with a large family of eight. This included her first three children, Marie Catherine, John and Marie Claire Portail, their nanny Mrs. A. Grou, the grandmother Mrs. Rosenlecker, Mary’s brother-in-law Michel Portail and her husband-to-be Alain Hope-Rapp. She settled this whole family on Clearspring Ranch, southeast of Calgary, where she pursued her passion for cattle breeding. Mary and Alain Hope-Rapp then started a new family and had three sons Eric, Francis and Yves Hope-Rapp. They moved to B.C. but always regretted leaving sunny Alberta. They finally moved back to Alberta about ten years ago. During the past eight years they were happy to be able to enjoy Fred and Marjorie Schneider’s ranch facilities.
During Mary’s final days, she was surrounded by her family and friends and well cared for by all the nurses and doctors at the Vulcan Community Health Centre.
Loving mother of four sons John (Kathy Mitchell) Portail of Strathmore, Eric (Anna Marie) of Sheffield, New Brunswick, Francis (Janet) of Whiterock, B.C., Yves (Marla) of Coalhurst, two daughters Marie Catherine Berger of Vancouver, B.C., Marie Claire (Jean) Vallet of France and Canmore, five grandchildren Cedric, Roland, Strauss, Andi and Georgi, numerous nieces and nephews and a cousin Claude “Normand” Rosenlecker of Paris, France.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Alain Hope-Rapp in April 2001, which brought her and Marjorie Schneider closer together as dear friends. They were the two ladies of the ranch. She was also predeceased by her father Louis in 1951, her mother Thérèse in 1966 and a half-brother Loïcque.
Graveside Service was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. at the Carmangay Cemetery, Carmangay, Alberta with Pastor Frank Harris officiating.
Casket Bearers her children Marie Catherine Berger, John Portail, Marie Claire Vallet, Eric Hope-Rapp, Francis Hope-Rapp and Yves Hope-Rapp.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, tributes in Mary’s memory can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation 1331- 29 Street N.W. Calgary T2N 4N2.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.