‘Tomachee’
Shaw nee piniizeek
Atik do deum
The family of Rosemarie Copenace announces her sudden passing at Brandon General Hospital on Dec. 31, 2005.
Rosemarie was born March 7, 1945 to Benjamin and Jean (Jane) Copenace in Rainy River, Ont. She was united in marriage to Robert Luke Archie on Dec. 12, 1959.
Rosemarie’s philosophy on life was built from the traditional values she learned from her parents and siblings. One of her greatest strengths was her ability to make others laugh alongside her.
Although there were difficult times, numerous hardships, and health problems along her journey, Rosemarie always managed to stay positive and keep us all in stitches.
One of her crowning achievements was in furthering her education when she became a Community Health Representative (CHR). Once this hurdle was completed, she could now follow her true dream of helping others—even when she had heart problems and had a pacemaker implanted, she went to Winnipeg to learn so she could teach others about healthy lifestyle choices and good heart health activities.
She was a Community Health Representative and a member of NIICHRO representing other CHRs and health professionals on a regional and national level.
In her position, she made numerous close friends and established a working network of health professionals over her 20-year tenure. As the CHR, she was able to assist people of all ages, providing badly-needed health care education, home visiting services, services to the elders all the way to the pre-natal babies and pregnant moms.
By offering her services to all ages, she was able to motivate others to follow her head to instill a strong belief that it truly does “Take a WHOLE community to raise a child.”
Rose and Robert also passed on the above philosophy to their own children, and also to the children and families they were fostering as foster parents.
Rosemarie (Ma) also was known for her kind heart, generosity, and willingness to help others. In her eyes and the eyes of others, you could see that Rose’s most precious love was for her family.
Her dearest loves are for Robert, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom feel that her love, support, and guidance throughout their lives has been the most endearing love they have experienced; the love of a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend.
She was the thread that kept her family and friends together through thick and thin with her beautiful and powerful leadership skills, laughter, and traditional ways.
She leaves behind her husband, Robert Archie; children, Barbara (Albert) Wilson, Beverly (Joseph Hamilton) Archie, and Ronald (Florene Andy) Archie; grandchildren, Rhoda and Robin Archie, Albert Wilson Jr., Jeff Morrison, Trina Archie, Kaylene, Carlos, Paloma, and Star Zapata, Roman, Brandy, and Ronald Stillday, Ronald Bruyere, Skye and August Archie, Tamara and Ruby Greene, Richie, Ethan, and Ariel Archie, Fredrick Comegan Jr., and Dailen and Robert John Tuesday.
She had 17 great-grandchildren, made up of 10 great-granddaughters and seven great grandsons; siblings Melvina Copenace, Alvin (Bonnie Scheer) Copenace, and Ernie (Karen) Copenace; and in-laws Geraldine, Sam, and Bridgette Archie.
Rosemarie also is survived by 31 nephews and 25 nieces; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
Rosemarie was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Jean (Jane) Copenance; sons, Fredrick Archie and Robert Archie Jr.; grandson, Percy Zapata; siblings, Fred, Daniel, William, Rodrick, Jimmy, Richard, and Virginia Copenace; and nephews, Donald, Albert, Marshall, and Duane Copenace, and Fredrick Kirkrude.
A wake was held Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006 beginning at 3 p.m. at the Big Grassy First Nation Community Hall.
A traditional service was held Friday, Jan. 6, 2006 at 10 a.m. at the Big Grassy First Nation Community Hall. Elder Gilbert Smith of Naicatchewenin First Nation officiated, with interment in the Big Grassy First Nation Cemetery.
The pallbearers were John Copenace, Fredrick Copenace, Jamie Archie, Bobby Copenace, Clayton Copenace, and Curtis Copenace.
The honourary pallbearers were Elsie Perrault, Katherine Fobister, Joan Mainville, Katherine Kelly, Marion Medicine, and Dorothy Medicine.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Health Care Facilities—Dialysis Unit, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Onta., P9A 2B7 or the Canadian Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 655, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9.
I will always remember you.
The people who know you, who loved you will miss you.
I wish I had a chance to say goodbye.
So I’m saying it now through my tears.
I will smile because I can picture your face when you’re smiling
I visited you when we said goodbye, then you left
You were always so nice to us, so patient, so kind.
I will remember you always and forever.
I will once see you again.
I will see your smile.
I will thin of you always.
I love you grandma.
Goodbye
From you grand-daughter
Star Zapata
(Kiinewqua)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
