Obituary of Rosalie Hopper

Rosalie Hopper passed away peacefully at Concordia Hospital, age 93 years. She is survived by sons Gordon (Wanda), Bill, and Jim (Louise); grandchildren Jessie (Paul), Jody (Lise), and Ben (Rachelle); sister Shirley Krawchuk; many nieces and nephews; and her great grandchildren Daniel, Elijah, Noella, Rielle, and Renee. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years Cyril. Rosalie was born in Rosewood, Manitoba and spent her early years on her parent’s farm before moving to Winnipeg as a teenager. She worked in Banff and in the Whiteshell, where she met her husband to be Cyril. They married in 1949 and settled in East Kildonan shortly thereafter. Rosalie enjoyed gardening and horticulture which led her to complete a botany course at the University of Manitoba and work at the Museum of Man and Nature. She spent much time collecting and growing unusual and exotic plants, orchids were a favourite. Rosalie and Cyril were avid square dancers and outdoors people. Early family years were spent camping, car trips across Canada and cottaging at Ingolf, Ontario, later hiking and exploring in the Rocky Mountains, the West Coast Trail and Hawaii and cycling in France. For many years Rosalie and Cy were members of the Manitoba Naturalist Society. She dabbled in playing music herself and enjoyed listening to classical and folk music. In “retirement” Rosalie was an active carver and volunteer at the Good Neighbours Active Living Centre in East Kildonan. Rosalie provided a warm and loving home for her family; her baking skills were unsurpassed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.