Rachel was vivacious, embracing both people and life wherever she went. She was born, grew up and lived in Edmonton, AB. Already as a toddler, she loved to pick up rocks, run after the birds, sing and plunk away at the piano. She enjoyed several childhood activities including Girl Guides, swimming, dance and piano lessons and embraced all new challenges with great zest and determination.
At age 10, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. The chemo and radiation required to treat this cancer, caused a secondary cancer, Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia, at age 12. Treatment again consisted of chemo, radiation, and a sibling bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, Rachel was diagnosed a third time in May 2016, with Stage IV ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative Breast Cancer, caused by the radiation required for the original disease. Despite the long shadow of illness and treatment, Rachel’s tenacious personality continued to shine, impacting all whom she met. It became common knowledge among the many oncologists, doctors, nurses, and medical staff who helped her, that she broke all the rules and refused to let cancer determine who she was and how she would live her life.
After graduating from Holy Trinity High School in 2009, she went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree (Grant MacEwan, 2017) while cultivating her metamorphic love of gemstones and music. She was able to travel to Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and various parts of Canada, happily bringing home rocks and seashells as her favourite souvenirs. Her last rock-hounding trip concluded with a fistful of rocks from Jasper, AB.
In 2009, Rachel met Zachary, while working at Cineplex. They were soon to be found bonding over popcorn and movies. Their love (for movies) never abated and after many late nights and the growing need for coffee, they both found promising job opportunities at Starbucks. Rachel continued to work until the last few months of her life and gained many close friends from the different stores she worked at.
Zach and Rachel were married August 20, 2017, at the Whitemud Creek Community Center, Edmonton, in the presence of family and friends. They began marital bliss with the addition of Artemis, Bella, and Nebula, three crazy cats, who, along with NaCl (Rachel renamed) filled hearts and home with chaotic joy.
Rachel leaves behind her husband, Zachary Bernardi, her parents, Wieke Steynen and David Spiess, siblings, Jonathan, Annaliese, Paul and Abigail, parents-in-law, Val and Dave Bernardi, sister-in-law, Madison, niece, Lily, and numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and her cherished kitties!
With grateful hearts, the family wishes to acknowledge the attentive care provided by Pilgrims Hospice Society (Roozen Family Hospice Centre), the continued support of Dr. Joy and other staff at the Cross Cancer Institute, and the Kids With Cancer Society who have accompanied Rachel, and her family, over the course of many years. In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations to be made to the Kids With Cancer Society, in Edmonton, AB.
A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 6:00p.m. at St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic Church (7007 - 109 Street). Livestream link: https://youtu.be/vrUy7pi2ZBc
Funeral Divine Liturgy for Rachel will be held on Tuesday, October 19 at 10:00a.m. Livestream link: https://youtu.be/FzCDlBCP4EM
Interment to take place at St. Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery.
"Attendance will be limited due to Covid 19 Restrictions"
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