picture from People magazine
Information from Huffington post, Connecticut community foundation, memorial page, obituary
Rachel was born on July 17, 1983, a 2001 graduate of Nonnewaug High School, Rachel went on to receive her bachelor's degree from the University of Hartford, her master's degree from Post University, and was working towards her doctorate degree from University of St. Joseph of Hartford.
Rachel completed her final requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her presence and tremendous smile brightened any room she entered. Rachel loved animals, cooking, baking, photography and karate. She was an adoring big sister who cherished her two younger siblings like they were her own children.
Her passion, however, was her occupation as a behavioral therapist working with children within the autism spectrum. She had worked in various positions throughout her career providing behavioral therapy to children, with hopes of helping them develop into happy and healthy adults. She integrated these children into her daily life, often taking them into her home, hosting holidays and crafting parties for them. She taught them and treated them like family. Her maternal nature, understanding, and sense of patience with the learning disabled were truly gifts she possessed. Ultimately, it is these gifts that would have given Rachel a level of understanding and forgiveness during this time of crisis that many others wouldn't have.
Rachel's boyfriend had just asked her parents for their blessing to marry. He had planned on proposing on Christmas Eve.
On November 1st, I will send a letter of thanks to the specialist that worked with my son throughout elementary school.
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