Obituary of Marie Germaine Yvette Rappel

August 22, 1934 - Edmonton, Alberta

April 4, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Germaine “Gerry” Rappel (née Courchesne), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the age of 89 years. She was born in Edmonton, AB, and grew up in a large Franco-Albertan family on a farm near Fort Saskatchewan, AB. Gerry attended high school at L’Académie de l’Assomption in Edmonton, AB, and graduated from Fort Saskatchewan High School. Gerry continued her postsecondary education to complete her first-year teacher training at l’École Normale in Nicolet, PQ, and later received a B.Ed. degree from the University of Calgary in 1969.

Gerry worked as a teacher at the Calgary Catholic School District for most of her career. She continued her professional development by completing studies toward a master’s degree in Romance Studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and at the University of Calgary. Gerry returned to Edmonton in 1982 and taught at the Edmonton Catholic School Division until her retirement in 1993. As an educator, Gerry was a much-loved teacher and valued colleague. In 2004, Gerry became a beloved member of the Secular Franciscan Order at St. Mary’s Fraternity in Calgary. As a secular Franciscan, Gerry was able to extend her work as an educator, living the core Franciscan virtues of prayer, compassion (towards others), integrity, service, simplicity, and humility.

Gerry was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She will be dearly remembered by all who knew her. Gerry leaves to mourn, Larry Rappel, her loving and dedicated husband of 62 years; her three children, Linda, James, and Michelle (Stéphan De Loof) Rappel; her two sisters, Cecile Paradis and Terry Hostyn; and her brother Raymond (Eleanor) Courchesne. Gerry will be especially missed by her three granddaughters, Gabrielle De Loof, Samantha Straub, and Juliette De Loof.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1307 – 14th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Rappel’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

In lieu of flowers and following the spirit of St. Francis, Gerry would have appreciated personal approaches of making an offering for God’s gift of life:

Love this precious life – every minute of it. Be open to wonder and beauty and mystery. Be a lover of the world, of starry nights and hot summer days, of music and wind in the trees and the laughter of children. Love life so much you feel pain when it is denied elsewhere. Love it so much you are hurt when people are oppressed, discriminated against, hungry, cold, poor. Love life enough to get angry when it is taken for granted. Love life by investing in it – by giving some of yourself to your church, or synagogue, or political party, or community.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Gerry’s family here.

In living memory of Gerry Rappel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Gerry Rappel's Funeral Mass