Sabina Leona Rakowski Long

In Loving Memory of Sabina Leona Rakowski Long

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend

March 1946 – May 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Sabina Leona Rakowski Long, who left us this May surrounded by the love of her family. Sabina brought color, song, and joy into the world—her infectious laugh and boundless spirit will be deeply missed.

Sabina is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Peter, her children, Colleen and Chris, and her cherished granddaughter, Miia. She also leaves behind her loving brothers Richard and Albert Rakowski, lifelong friends Pat and Lionel Stenberg and Gladys Chorney, all of Edmonton, Alberta, as well as many extended family members and lifelong friends who were touched by her warmth, humor, and generosity.

Born in Radway, Alberta, Sabina grew up on a “mixed farm” where she learned to be a gifted gardener and could coax life from any patch of earth. Sabina filled her family’s home with the fresh bounty from her sprawling gardens and was known as a passionate preserver—jams, pickles (her dill pickles were legendary!), and everything in between bore the stamp of her love and labor.

But Sabina was much more than a gifted gardener. She led a life full of many accomplishments: a trained Dental Assistant, a fearless Toastmaster, an inspiring Girl Guide Leader, a compassionate Special Education Assistant, an Avon sales leader, a lover of crafting (macrame, sewing and woodworking) and a lover of badminton and ping pong. Through each chapter of her life, Sabina brought light, laughter, and love.

A lifelong music lover, Sabina had a soundtrack for every moment—Elvis Presley, ABBA, Neil Diamond, and Burton Cummings were always playing in her home or car. She adored the energy of Footloose and the magic of Mamma Mia!, and even in her final days, music brought her peace and comfort. It was truly in her soul.

With Peter, her beloved partner in adventure, Sabina explored the world—an avid cruiser, her most treasured trip took her to Poland and Eastern Europe, where she reconnected with her Polish roots and heritage.

Sabina’s greatest roles, though, were those of mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend. She gave of herself endlessly, and her legacy lives on in the love she cultivated, the laughter she inspired, and the lives she touched.

As we say goodbye, we find comfort in the thought of Sabina singing among the angels, her spirit alive in every song, every garden, every joyful memory.

A celebration of life will be held for Sabina, in Edmonton, Alberta, at a later date this summer.

We will be keeping our celebration of life small and within our family, however, if you wish to recognize the memory of Sabina, please make a donation to the Parkinson’s Society. Parkinson's Personal Giving.