Rachel Buisse Spilkin:
CLASS OF 1977
College St. BonifaceClass of 1977
St. boniface, MB
University College of St. BonifaceClass of 1980
Winnipeg, MB
Provencher SchoolClass of 1974
Winnipeg, MB
Rachel's Story
Hi everyone. Just want to say hello. I hope all those who read this are well and happy in their present lives. A journey we all have been on, good times, bad times, sad times and happy times. If only we would have had the wisdon we have now in the many decision life's path has brought us through. I celebrate my 33 year wedding anniversary this year. I have a wonderful husband and two great girls, Sonya is 28 and Stephanie is 26. Both have graduated from Univ. and are doing great. God blessed me with 2 great kids. We live in Oakville, Ontario. If you are ever get out this way, please call me, my phone # is under my maiden name. Let's do coffee or come over to my house. I haven't been in much contact with my fellow St. Boniface College schoolmates. I do not play hockey anymore, I gave that up when joined the RCMP in 1980. I then gave my goalie equipment to one of my nephews. I do have regrets that I came on earth a little bit too early - never did make it to the OLYMPIC WOMAN's TEAM.
In 2005 , I did make it back to my grade 12 reunion - it was great. About 70 poeple from our graduation year came. It sure was nice to see them all. We had all aged gracefully. With some, the name tags helped out, and others did not change a bit. I hope you are all doing well and God keeps you safe and true to our final destination of heaven - our eternal home where once again we will all meet and talk about our life's walk. Keep God in your heart and in your walk of life. God has restored me in a number of my falls, and does not give up on me. Your sister in Christ, Love Rachel.
In Jan. 2015, I retired from the RCMP, with 35 years of service. I still hope God will keep me around and healthy, and that one day I might be a grand mother.
In 1975 - 1977, GRADE 11 and 12 at CSSB ( College Secondaire de Saint-Boniface), I made the all male HOCKEY TEAM as 1 of the 3 GOALIE POSITIONs. I was the first female to TRY OUT for the CSSB HOCKEY TEAM - INTRAMUAL AND EXTRAMURAL. I caused a BIG STIR among the boys, girls and the school board. In 1977 - 1980, I played within the CUSB ( College Universitaire de Saint-Boniface) hockey league. I was hated by most of the students.
Some of my own team mates, at the CSSB and CUSB did everything they could to hurt me at practices and even during the pre-game warm up. On one of the game days - one player, a year older than I, in pre warm - up did a sl...Expand for more
ap shot from the right corner about 4 feet from the net and hit my right elbow. I thought it was broke. I could barely hold my goalie stick,....no, I did not cry. I never told anyone about my injury. I stayed in the game and we won. For weeks I could not even raise my arm up to scratch my nose or comb my long hair. Yes, those were the good old days.
At my 2005 school reunion, a ex-hockey player from Louis Riel, introduced himself to me and said: << so your that girl. I finally meet the girl that beat our team in the playoffs >>. I was so surprised and honored. I had it very rough among the kids, parents, teachers, ect back then. I have to say my biggest fan was FERNAND GREGOIRE. He told me, <<go for it>>, smiled and encouraged me to play. He would even call me to go play with his old timers team. We even played against the RCMP team in St. Pierre. Those were fun games. I did help my team win the final playoff game and won the playoff trophy for CSSB. I do want to thank the number of my hockey mates from CSSB and CUSB who did come last year 2005, and told me how sorry they were for having been so bad towards me back then, and did tell me I was a good goalie. It took 28 years to get some recognition and acceptance - but I can tell you one thing for sure - for their brave act of coming forward and to tell me this was the best life gift they could have ever given me. Thank you.
Another one of my days to remember was at a Christmas Eve Reveillon. My boyfriend's father asked me << if I had hair growing on my breasts because I played hockey, and this was an educated man. I never forgot that comment nor the embarrassment of such a low comment coming from a father, and having the whole family laughing at me. I was 19 then. When I can, I tell my story to kids so that maybe they can learn and accept that just because a person wants to do something different from the rest, it doesn't mean you have to be mean to them - respect one other for who you are.
I then went to the RCMP ACADEMY and passed the 6 months training program and graduated to an RCMP POLICE OFFICER, CONSTABLE. Many of oF old CSSB and CUSB teased me on a daily basis that I would not make it through the RCMP training. They laughed and made disrespectful comments to me while I was doing my training in St. Boniface, Manitoba. I would not give up. I went to Regina RCMP depot training and graduated.
I retired in January 2015.
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Register for Free to start a reunion event!
Photos
