Rachelle Sobel Principe

DATELINE: WARWICK

Principe, Rachelle Sobel, 73, passed away with her family by her side on Monday, February 1, 2021 at the age of 73. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Bernard and Mildred (Fishman) Goodman and step-daughter of the late William I. St. James, she had lived in Warwick for 24 years, previously living in Scituate for 22 years and was raised in Cranston. She was an administrative assistant, most recently working in Providence for the State of Rhode Island for 29 years and previously worked for the Town of Scituate and Johnson & Wales University.

She was a devoted mother of Bryan Principe (Shery) of Providence and Marcia Rowley (Billy Quimby) of Warwick and dear sister of the late Marcia Broomhead. Rachelle loved her family dearly and her adorable grandchildren, Tessa, Victoria, Emily and David, who were her pride and joy.  We will always love you, Bubbie!

She enjoyed going on rides with the top off in the Jeep and loved telling stories about her loving children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins, who spanned the Fishman, Goodman, Principe and DelGizzo families.  There was always a special place for her “Grand Dogs” too.  She had a laugh that would fill the room and a smile that would light the world.

Rachelle overcame a lifelong breathing condition that she refused to let slow her down.  She fought and beat breast cancer twice, eleven years apart.  Her spirit and strength are an inspiration to all who knew her.

She enjoyed the beauty of Rhode Island, especially the coastline, and was a fun dining and traveling companion.  Her many friends would always light her day, including many longtime DCYF pals, dear friends from Scituate and Warwick and her lifelong Cranstonian friends.  Rachelle was a wonderful bubbie, mother, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, friend, confidant and all-around rock of support to all who knew and loved her.  She will be so sorely missed and will forever hold a place in our heart.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Chabad Chai Center of West Bay, 3871 Post Rd., Warwick, RI 02886 or Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, 249 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860.

Funeral services and Shiva will be private.

 

30 Comments

  1. Jean Christy
    Feb 3, 2021

    Fly high dear friend. You will be missed.

  2. Marc Lavik
    Feb 3, 2021

    You were a great friend & a fantastic neighbor who made me laugh and I appreciate all your wisdom that you shared with me for many years. Shalom, rest & relax in heaven … I will miss our regular chats Ms. P ….

  3. Robert T. McMahon, Jr.
    Feb 3, 2021

    Rachelle was a great friend and always brought a smile to my face. We had a game at work where the winner would call out the other person’s name first. I would hide behind others on my way to the elevators just to be able to say “Rae” and she would respond, “AWW YOU BRAT!!” Sometimes if we had not seen each other in a while she would leave a sticky note on my desk with my name on it. I’d have to give her the win. We played this game for a quarter of a century!!! Rachelle was also a great friend and I am going to miss her greatly. “RAE!!!! I love you”.

  4. Joanne L. Eddy
    Feb 3, 2021

    I worked with Rachelle. She was a lovely, valiant woman who always spoke so lovingly as it her family. May her memory be a blessing.

  5. Jim Bander
    Feb 3, 2021

    Bryan, Marcia and family:

    I think of your mother as a wonderful storyteller. May her memory always be a blessing.

    Cousins Jim, Kassy, and Lauren

  6. Karen Lynch
    Feb 3, 2021

    Rachelle, I will miss our morning breakfast/chat sessions at the front desk at DCYF. We had the best time and always had each other’s back. I will miss our texts about our retirement and all the complaining. Rest In Peace my friend. I will miss you!

  7. Ruth Friedberg
    Feb 4, 2021

    My dear friend or cousin as we would always say. Wonderful memories flood my mind, 70 years is a long time. I love you, and will never forget the life are families shared. You will always be in my heart.

  8. Shirley Howe
    Feb 4, 2021

    Marcia and Bryan I am so sadden to see this. I only knew your Mom through the Clayville community but I always loved bumping into her. She was such a wonderful and joyful spirit who brought a smile to my face every time we met.

  9. ¨Rae¨ was my first friend although we drifted away in our busy lifes when we did get together it was like we never missed a day

  10. Barbara DaCosta
    Feb 4, 2021

    Rachelle, I so appreciated your wisdom, laughter, and spirit of perseverance. You were an inspiration to this Baptist clergy person. I will miss our light-hearted and more reflective talks. I was so looking forward to making the day trips we talked about when I semi-retire. I know you are now free from all physical limitations, upheld forever on everlasting arms, and death has no more dominion.

    • Stacey Spike-Brown
      Feb 7, 2021

      My condolences to Rachelle’s family. I first met Rachelle in 2007, and worked with her for many years. She was always so helpful and never cease to make me laugh. I will miss her smile and sense of humor. May she rest in peace, and May the Lord’s peace and comfort surround her family, at this difficult time.

  11. Marilyn Scrivani
    Feb 4, 2021

    My condolences to Rachelle’s family.

    We worked together for many years.

    Rae, Rest In Peace.

    Marilyn Scrivani

  12. Donald Mende
    Feb 4, 2021

    I will definitely miss Rachelle. She was dear to my heart and ever so kind with the biggest heart. She was a 2nd mom to me growing up with so many great memories. Rest in peace…..

  13. Karen Lynch
    Feb 4, 2021

    Brian and Marcia and family, Rachelle was a wonderful friend and we had many laughs together at DCYF. Every morning was our breakfast/whining sessions as we did for about 20 years. I will miss our texts/phone calls (Rachelle did not like texting) as we did often. Fly high my friend as you are now breathing free. Love you Rach!!!

  14. Leanne Cuomo
    Feb 4, 2021

    I worked with Rachelle and send my deepest sympathy to her family. , She always was very helpful to me and I am saddened to hear of her passing. She spoke highly of her family, especially her grandchildren.

  15. Diane
    Feb 4, 2021

    Rae, I am so saddened about your passing, You now are free from all of your suffering with your breathing issues. I will miss our get togethers for dinners and all the lunches we had together especially when we were both in building 6.

  16. July Torres
    Feb 4, 2021

    Brian, Marcia and Family, My deep condolences goes out to you all, I am very sorry for your loss. Rachelle spoke very highly of her family, she was such a sweet soul. When ever she came downstairs to visit me it was more of a highlight towards my day due to working at the front desk at DCYF; with all the craziness and commotion that goes on there she brought me peace and distraction. I enjoyed our conversations whether if it was about her grandchildren, children or work related. She was truly a great friend and very respected from those who cared about her. I am very saddened to find out that you’re no longer with us and our plans of having lunch together after the pandemic can no longer take place. Maybe someday we shall meet again, I will miss you until then. Thank you for being such a good friend, I will keep you in my prayers always. Rest In Peace Rachelle and fly high sweet angel.

  17. Maryanne Hunt
    Feb 4, 2021

    Rae was the grandmother, Bubbie, To one of my daughters best friends, Victoria. We first met in the school parking lot while picking up the kids. From my first meeting I knew she was warm and friendly and a devoted grandmother and if Victoria is proof of her goodness passed on she should now be a very proud Bubbie who will, I am sure, look down on all of her grandchildren with care and love for always.

  18. Harry Hunt
    Feb 4, 2021

    To the family of Rae, we send our sincere condolences to each of you in the loss of Such a wonderful woman who I know you all loved so much… you are all in our thoughts at this time.

  19. Carol Shackleton
    Feb 4, 2021

    I’ve known Rachelle for a long time as we were co-workers and friends for years at DCYF. So many memories of our little close-knit clerical group. We all laughed, cried, joked, helped each other and went through so much in life together. I feel so sad and so very sorry to hear this news. My deepest sympathy to Marcia, Bryan and the family. Rest in sweet peace Rachelle.

  20. Merry Caswell
    Feb 5, 2021

    We were so sorry to hear about Rachelle. We enjoyed meeting her at the shower and wedding for Alicia and Andy. Your description of her in the obituary captured her spirit beautifully. She was a “family first” champion who loved life. Bryan and Marcia and your families are in our thoughts and prayers. Sympathy and love to you all. The Caswell Family

  21. Paula Sotnik-Weiss
    Feb 5, 2021

    My sincere sympathies to Rachelle’s family. She was my lovely neighbor for years in Warwick. We had many nice chats! She loved her family and friends!

  22. gail antonucci
    Feb 5, 2021

    Dear Bryan,Marcia & family, I am so very sorry for your loss. After almost 65 years of unwavering friendship our relationship had seen us through good times and bad times . We laughed ,some times we cried, what we had was very special. There was not much we did not talk about. She loved you all with everything she had . She was so happy to be “Bubbie” to all of her grandchildren. She was so proud of all of you. We would spend so much time talking about family and how much she cherished each of you. We have our own special “Guardian Angel” now. Our tears will dry but a piece of our hearts will always be missing. Her love will be ever present,she will always be a part of us . May all of your happy memories of her wrap their arms around you and help you through this sad time. Remember that smile and hear that laugh every time you think of her, I know I will. She will be missed terribly. Dance with the angels my forever friend . I will be looking for the pennies . Till we meet again . Love you, Gail

  23. Mary Santilli
    Feb 6, 2021

    My sincere condolences to Bryan, Marcia and all of Rachelle’s family and friends. Although is has been many years since we spent time on the soccer fields in Scituate and even further back to Cranston East I still remember her vibrant personality and kindness. She was such a great mother and truly good person. Rest In Peace

  24. Denis myette
    Feb 6, 2021

    My Deepest sympathy to all of the family..Rachelle was a great neighbor here in building 5..I will miss our conversations and seeing that smiling face..you always had a positive attitude..and even though you had health issues you would never know ..I will miss you rachelle may you Rest In Peace and be with all your family in heaven..God bless you

  25. Mary Cameron
    Feb 9, 2021

    My sincere condolences to the family. I became friends with Rachelle while working at DCYF. I would always ask Rachelle how she was feeling and she would always answer good day or bad day. We often spoke about when we would retire. I loved to hear her augh. Rachelle will be sorely missed. RIP my friend.

  26. Kelly Schofield (Carroll)
    Feb 10, 2021

    Marcia, Bryan, and family,

    So very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. May she now be at peace. I am praying for all of you during this very difficult time.

  27. Janice Carnevale
    Feb 12, 2021

    Marcia and Bryan, I worked with your mom at DCYF. It was a pleasure to know her and heartfelt sadness in hearing of her passing. She was such fun and had such a hardy, infectious laugh. She also was a real trooper through all her illness. It’s such a shame that she didn’t get to enjoy her retirement. Know that she spoke often about her loving family. I hope that fond memories will help ease your pain.

  28. Kathy Keefe
    Feb 21, 2021

    I just found about about Rachelle’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a very nice person. I will miss seeing her around Village Green.

  29. RACHEL RITCHIE
    Apr 28, 2021

    I just happened upon Rachelle’s obit and I am so sorry. I will never forget how she rescued me when I did not have a place to live .
    I also remember that I had the responsibility of driving older family members to Marcia’s wedding reception and Rachelle was a little afraid that I and the family members would not make it there. And I was there with Rachelle when we both survived Marcia’s wedding planning and honeymoon-Rachelle was convinced that she would never see her daughter again.
    Rachel Ritchie

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