Vel Richer surrounded by family, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 1st , 2013. Vel was born on August 4th, 1945 in Walford Ontario to Edna May and William Phillips, the 6th child of 13. She grew up in the area and married Laurent on July 13th, 1963 in Massey. Arriving in quick succession, 3 boys – Larry, Stuart and Ronalde kept her very busy. Her mantra in those days was “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!”, Everyone believed her. Laurent and Vel moved to Grande Prairie in the mid-eighties where her first assignment was working at the QEII Hospital. She began her career in real estate in 1986 – taking up the helm of St. Krystal as broker. It was during this time that she was instrumental in the construction of the current City Hall – originally conceived as Grande Prairie’s first medical walk-in clinic. It was her dream to offer to the people of this city an easily accessible alternative to the only choice at the time – the emergency ward at the hospital. Most recently, she managed as Broker of Richer Realty Ltd where everyone knew her as the one to get the job done. She loved the challenge and was hands on in every facet of the business. Vel was predeceased by her parents, and her siblings – Bill, Edna, Leslie, Alice, Leonard, and George and her faithful companion Sunny who always knew where the best treats would be coming from. She is survived by brothers Henry (Barb), Bob (Ellen), Harvey (Rhonda), Jim and Stan (Cheryl), and her sister Jessie. She is survived by her husband and soul mate of 50 years Laurent, children Larry (Liane), Stuart (Jodie), and Bebe’ (AKA Ronalde), grandchildren – Jessie, Krystal, Charnelle (Mike), Darion, Kayla (Benoit) and Tyler. Numerous nieces, nephews, Aunt Roberta and Uncle Al will also miss her dearly, as will Brother and Sister in law Paulette and Ken Alexander, who were always there for Vel and Laurent in their time of need. Vel was generous with her time, her possessions, her knowledge and her love. If you needed something and it was hers to give you can bet that it found it’s way to you. She loved to shop, cook, quilt, and throw birthday parties and never forgot your special day. Her gifts of handmade quilted place mats and blankets will grace our homes reminding us how much she loved to create and then gift us with those creations away. “We love you” we would say, one more time, if we could. And her reply, as always, “I love you more” Viewing will take place on Thursday September 5th, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM with funeral to follow on Friday September 6th, at 1:00 PM – both at Mission Heights Church of Christ on the corner of 84th Ave and Mission Heights Drive. Pallbearers will be Mike and Lawrence Phillips, Mike Scheideman, Calvin Folz, Tyler Richer and Benoit Labonne. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.