A Motherís Words
Rachel was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 19, 1984. She was the biggest baby of all my children she weighed 9 pounds and 13 ounces, she looked as if she was three months old. I knew there was something special about her. She was always a happy baby, wearing a beautiful smile all the time. Growing up Rachel never liked baby food she preferred eating table food. Her favorite food in the morning was pancakes (or pannycakes as Rachel would have said it) and a little bacon. Rachel has four sisters and one brother their names are Cheryl, Richard, Tanaika, Aisha and her youngest sister Natashia. Rachel was a nurturer and she enjoyed spending family time to the fullest. She enjoyed going bike riding at D.W. Field Park with her father brother and sisters; her favorite part of the park was going down the huge hill, it gave her such rush! Rachel liked going to school and learning new things. She enjoyed reading, writing poetry and listening to music with her sistersí. Boy did she love to sing and dance. Rachel always liked playing school; she always loved being the teacher. She had lot of friends in school and out side of school. Her friends would always come to her about their problems and what was going on with them. Rachel always had a way of making people feel comfortable. Rachel went to North Junior High School were she met Ms. Brophy her soccer coach and physical education teacher, and it is here where they established their bond. Their relationship blossomed as she continued to be her Physical Education teacher at Brockton High School. Rachel graduated from Brockton High School and had a four-year Scholarship to Bridgewater State College, where she was majoring in Education to become a school teacherÖ I really miss Rachel; she was such a special person. She was my shopping buddyÖ I enjoyed going shopping, out to eat, reading books and talking with her on different subject, as she brushed her hair. We always cuddled up at night and watched TV. She was a unique person once you met her you would never forget who she was. Rachel was an amazing athlete from playing soccer, running track, tennis, playing basketball and football. You name it she could do it. She was very graceful on her feet
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She became involved with this guy who was controlling and became obsessed. After some time she ended this relationship, but he would not let go. Her now ex-boyfriend kidnapped her from her job on July 7, 2004 at work by gunpoint. He held her hostage for hours before he shot her in the back of her head while trying to escape. After he committed murder he committed suicide. We are deeply saddened by our loss. Since then we have vowed to inform people about unhealthy relationships so they too will not have to experience a loss like ours.
Personal Excerpt: A Siblingís Words
Her laughter was infectious and her smile shined bright like the morning sun. It was Easter Sunday 1989. She wore a florescent green dress with big black polka dots.
Her smile was as bright as her dress as she posed for pictures. Laughing so hard she could hardly control herself. Rachel stop laughing, just smile for the picture but she couldnít stop.
The family pictures from that Easter show her doubled over in laughter. Her laughter infected us all that day.
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Rachel seemed to infect everyone she encountered with her beautiful smile and her laugh. No matter how bad your day may have been she could always make you smile or laugh.
She was a gentle soul with a huge heart always willing to help those in need. She was a beautiful, intelligent, and strong young woman who wanted to change the world through education.
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When I am missing her I just close my eyes and picture her that Easter Sunday I can still hear her laughter and it comforts me.
Rachel was and always will be the sunshine in my heart.