Obituaries

 

Rachael Robitaille

Passed 01/07/2024

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Obituary For Rachael Robitaille

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rachael Robitaille on January 7, 2024 at the hospice in Halifax. We will miss her, but are consoled knowing her spirit is at peace.

Rachael was born in Denver Colorado in 1959 to her loving parents Normand and Patricia, the third of six children, including four sisters (Kimberly, Maria, Giselle and Colette) and one brother (Keith). The family moved to both Connecticut and New Hampshire. As a child Rachael often ventured into nature observing the beauty of nearby landscapes and fields, taking inspiration from these for her early artworks.

In 1975 Rachael came to Cape Breton to reunite with her family. There she attended Isle Madame Regional High, supported the household with baking and sewing dresses, nurtured her artistic spirit with an apprenticeship at a local pottery studio and went on canoe adventures around the bays of Isle Madame.

After moving to Halifax, she met Albert, with whom she had her son Joel. Rachael passed on a passion for the outdoors as well as an appreciation for creativity and good food to Joel.

Throughout her life, Rachael’s art was a central part of what she brought into the world. While in Halifax she completed her bachelors and then masters in fine arts at NSCAD university with a focus on textiles and art history. She contributed to the artistic community in Nova Scotia as an artist in residence, as a gallery director, and as a leader of workshops, teacher and mentor in the communities she lived in. She leaves behind many beautiful works including weavings, uniquely colorful sweaters and grand tapestries.

Rachael had a gift for connecting with people. She was a kind soul that touched many people in a positive way.

She is survived by her son Joel, her sisters Giselle, Maria and Colette, her nieces Amanda, Laurel, and nephews Kristopher, Nick, and Jacob, her biological son Christopher, and Joel’s father Albert, as well as many friends.

A funeral service will be held at St. Ignatius church in Bedford at 12:15 pm on Monday Jan 15, 2024.

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Condolences

  • 04/11/2024

    I am forever grateful to have been blessed with even a brief time with Rachael. My sincere condolences to all her friends and family. It has been a long time since I made contact with her and even a longer time since I was graced with her beautiful presence. We lived in the same building on Tobin Street and I was her bridesmaid. I remember picking wildflowers with her. She was so talented, intelligent and thoughtful. I still have the vest she made me 43 years ago.

  • 03/24/2024

    Rachael came into my life as creator, producer of beautiful works of fabric art while living at the "treehouse" in New Glasgow. All 42 steps attacked with energy and determination. Her potential to share her talent was immense...always with the knitting basket in tow...drives, appointments waiting rooms. Blessings to her family. Keep the good memories alive in your hearts. With love, Debbie

  • 03/24/2024

  • 01/20/2024

    Rachael was a close friend who touched many lives with her compassion and talents. I was very sorry today to read of her death. Ed Head

  • 01/19/2024

    I and My wife are saddened to hear of the passing of Rachael The world has lost a bright and extremely talented artist ,one so unique and precious to the family of humankind .God has a new angel , rest in peace ,dear friend .

  • 01/19/2024

    Rachael was a truly beautiful soul who amazed me with her ability to be positive. I wish I had had more time with her in person but we shared a beautiful, special, treasured relationship and bond from a distance. I will miss her and our talks very much. -- Chris Keating

  • 01/16/2024

    Butterflies will not be detained, Faeries shall not be contained, Fireflies don't live in jars, Thanks Rach, for the time you spent, being ours

  • 01/15/2024

    Memories of sweet Rachael will live on in all who were privileged to know of her unique and personal view of her world. Her work with fabric and colour reflect her own fragile beauty. Condolences to all who loved her.

  • 01/15/2024

    My most sincere condolences, rest peacefully to her beautiful soul. Grateful for the opportunity to have known her in some small way, and will wrap myself in her beautiful creations and think of her in the beauty of the world. 💗

  • 01/15/2024

    It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to Rachel's family and friends. She was a beautiful soul who will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with all those who were touched by her kindness and warmth. In times like these, it's important to cherish the memories we have with those who have passed and to lean on each other for support. Let's remember Rachel for the light she brought into this world and the impact she made on those around her. Rest in peace.

  • 01/15/2024

    I was very sad to hear of Rachel's passing. Such and kind, thoughtful and talented lady. My condolences and sympathy to all the family. Know that she is now resting in peace and her soul is in heaven.

  • 01/15/2024

    I studied with Rachael during her BFA years at NSCADU but lost touch once I graduated. I remember a quiet young woman whose presence in the studio was always about learning and experiencing life and somehow combining that learning and experience in her work. I was sad to learn that she is gone. Condolences to her family and friends. Alison Strachan

  • 01/15/2024

    May you rest in peace now Rachael. Sincere condolences to her family. Blessings, KathyG

  • 01/15/2024

    You may be gone but your memory will live on forever. You touched the lives of so many people with your kindness and generosity. You will definitely be missed. Rest in peace my dear friend.

  • 01/15/2024

    A gentler, kinder and more spiritual soul could not be found. She had the rare ability to see beauty in most everything around her - even when times were troubling she was always looking at the stars, envisioning the wondrous beauty that existed around her. She was a genuine artistic talent, capable of turning the simplest of natural objects - clay, wool, seashells, etc. into works of true artistic genius. The world needs more people like Rachael but unfortunately she was one of a kind. She will be missed by many. "Just a little green like the night when the northern lights perform. There'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow"

  • 01/14/2024

    So sad to hear of Rachael's passing. I will always remember how much she loved the "treehouse", her kind heart and amazing creativity. She left so much of her spirit here in her work. I will cherish the memories of time with her, the encouragement she gave so freely and of being able to work on a piece of weaving with her. She was a wonderful teacher and champion of the artistic community. Rest peacefully dear lady.

  • 01/14/2024

    To Rachael family, I was Rachel nurse on the 5 th floor at the Aberdeen Hospital. So sad to read her obituary. Rachel was such a special lady. She was so smart , talented and compassion. She talked often about her son Joel who she was so proud of. Rachael enjoyed her visit with her sister Maria from Ontario. She was an unbelievable baker. At Thanksgiving she baked pies for the whole floor so the patients could have homemade pie and u could smell the pies cooking in the hallway . The pies were beautiful. She was so thoughtful. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Rest in peace, Rachael.

  • 01/14/2024

    Rest peacefully Rachel. You had the warmest heart and kindest soul. ❤️ Love from your high-school friend, Carmen Barron.

  • 01/14/2024

    Rest in peace Rachael

  • 01/13/2024

    Fond childhood memories of our beautiful cousin Rachel at family events. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. David Harnish and I had the privilege of reconnecting with Rachel and the Robitaille family when Norman passed away in 2009.

  • 01/13/2024

    Sending condolences and prayers to Rachael's family and friends. I knew Rachael on the South Shore and admired her brilliant mind. Rest in peace Rachael.

  • 01/12/2024

    Rest in peace, Rachael!

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