ROBERTINE DURUPT

1930 - 2003

Robertine Durupt of Taber, formerly of Hays and Vauxhall and beloved wife of the late Marcel Durupt, passed away at the Taber Hospital on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at the age of 73 years.
She was born as the youngest daughter after Bertha and Madeleine of John and Antoinette Lavoie in the North Battleford, Saskatchewan area. Robertine attended school in Delmas, Saskatchewan and had her first job at Petty’s store in the neighbouring town of Bresaylor. Marcel and Robertine Durupt were married in May, 1950. In 1956, George, Roger, Anna, Bertha and Marcia moved with them to Hays where a new irrigation system was being developed. Anita, Claude, Genevieve, Jeanne, Leon, and Antoinette were all born in the Taber Hospital, and were brought home to Hays to grow up. As her children grew up, Robertine worked outside of the home in various capacities. One of her favorite employment experiences was at Barons-Eureka Home Care. In Taber she often met people she had cared for, who always said she was the best caregiver ever. Robbie had a dream of opening her own business and in 1988 she accomplished this dream by opening “Robbie’s Roost” which continues to be a successful cafe. Robertine lived in Hays where she was active in her church, the C.W.L, the Civic Centre Ladies Division, the Home and School Association and the Hays Senior Citizen's Centre as well as helping out anyone she met that was in need. In 1998 she then moved to Prairie Rose Manor in Vauxhall. In 1999 she moved to Clearview Lodge and lastly to the Taber Continuing Care Facility.
Robertine was predeceased by her husband Marcel; her parents; Marce’s parents; sister Madeleine; a son-in-law Joe Chambers and two grandchildren, Alice Durupt and Aaron Chambers.
She is survived by eleven children, George (Helen) Durupt, Roger (Elnora) Durupt, Anna (Jim) Der, Berthe (Ross) Lelond, Marcia (Howard) Sherman, Anita Chambers, Claude (Betty) Durupt, Genevieve Durupt (Keith Geremia), Jeanne (Kevin) Karlenzig, Leon (Kelly) Durupt and Antoinette (Brian) Laughlin; one sister Bertha Lavoie; thirty one grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Beatrice Durupt; two sisters-in-law Annette Durupt and Jean Durupt as well as numerous nieces, nephews and her personal care attendant and friend, Joy Bexte and many other special friends.
Relatives and friends were invited to the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, July 13, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. at which time a Celebration of Robertine’s life was delivered.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Vauxhall, on Monday, July 14, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Thomas Vadassery celebrant. Interment of took place at the Hays Cemetery on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 at 10:30 A.M.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Robertine’s name can be made directly to the Continuing Care Facility c/o the Taber Hospital Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 209, 542 - 7 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2H1.