Rachel Jo Worthington
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Rachel Jo Worthington

  • October 2, 1981 - January 28, 2012
  • Saint Joseph, Michigan
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Memories & Candles

“I am so sorry to hear of Rachel's passing. I can only imagine your profound loss. I was one of Rachel's Girl Scout leaders when she was in a troop...Read More » ”
1 of 48 | Posted by: Marcia McCavit - MI

“I was deeply saddened to hear of rachels passing she was a great person and i remember she would do anything for anyone, she was one of the kindest...Read More » ”
2 of 48 | Posted by: Patti Fulbright Nilsen - MI

“John, Mary, and Family, So sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rachel was always such a joy and delight to have...Read More » ”
3 of 48 | Posted by: Joe & Rosie Kelly - Chandler, AZ

“Dear John, Mary, and Family, My love goes out to all of you. Rachel showed everyone the true meaning of life by meeting her challenges with grace...Read More » ”
4 of 48 | Posted by: Linda Quinn (Hinman) - IN

“Dear Mary and Family, So very sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers always. I remember when Rachel had her...Read More » ”
5 of 48 | Posted by: Ruth Bates - Hinsdale, NH

“I will never forget holding you in my arms for the very first time after you were born. I fell in love with you instantly. My heart is sad that I...Read More » ”
6 of 48 | Posted by: Molly Spencer - Levering, MI

“To the Family and Friends of Rachel; I have never met Rachel or any of her Family, but after reading her tributes, I wish that I would have. ...Read More » ”
7 of 48 | Posted by: Bob Turley - Three Oaks, MI

“Dear John and the Worthington Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of unimaginable pain. Although I never had the...Read More » ”
8 of 48 | Posted by: Jim Berry - St. Joseph

“I want to say how sorry I am for your loss. Rachel was such a wonderful person. I remember her coming to my grama's house to get pumpkins and she...Read More » ”
9 of 48 | Posted by: Robin Schmaltz - Bridgman, MI

“John, God bless you and your family, we are thinking of you and praying for you all, Mike, Becky, Josephine and Stella Hayes. ”
10 of 48 | Posted by: Michael Hayes - DeWitt, MI

“John and Mary, so sadden to hear about Rachel. She fought such a courageous battle with CF. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you...Read More » ”
11 of 48 | Posted by: Margie Hayes Miller - Dublin , OH

“For You Rachel. You have become a star up in the sky; your light shines bright and reflects from the water in my eyes. Streams of tears flow down...Read More » ”
12 of 48 | Posted by: Susan MacKeller - Aunt

“I am so very sorry for your loss. I am overwhelmed by the depth of love that Rachel has inspired, in so many different people. John, you and Mary...Read More » ”
13 of 48 | Posted by: William Sullivan - St Joseph, MI

“My son passed away 8 years ago. He was 17. My Best "guy friend" from high school told me one night when I called him very upset (weeks after) he...Read More » ”
14 of 48 | Posted by: Angel dombrowski - Buchanan, MI

“John Im so sorry to hear of you an your families loss. Reading about Rachel makes me believe Heaven just got a little bit better. You an your family...Read More » ”
15 of 48 | Posted by: Rick Washburn - Grand Ledge, MI

“John, Mary and kids, We are so saddened to hear about Rachel. She was such a sweet courageous person. Our sincerest sympathies to your entire family. ”
16 of 48 | Posted by: Tom and Karen White - MI - Friend

“John, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will be thinking you. ”
17 of 48 | Posted by: Ann (Vellanti) Curtice - Lansing, MI

“John and Family, Please accept aour deepest sympathy on the passing of you lovely daughter. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Tim and Millie ”
18 of 48 | Posted by: Tim and Millie Dodge - MI

“Mary and John and kids....I am so so sorry for your loss .Rachel was a wonderful person and beautiful. My heart goes out to you and the family. I...Read More » ”
19 of 48 | Posted by: Lori DeVries Lambert - MI

“Mary and John and kids....I am so so sorry for your loss .Rachel was a wonderful person and beautiful. My heart goes out to you and the family. I...Read More » ”
20 of 48 | Posted by: Lori DeVries Lambert - MI

“John & Mary, I'm so very sorry to read of your loss. So many years have passed since I last saw either of you and it appears it's my loss I never...Read More » ”
21 of 48 | Posted by: Brian Rowley - Grand Ledge, MI

“So very sorry to hear about Rachel. What a beautiful girl inside and out. I remember her always being so bubbly and laughing with the biggest smile...Read More » ”
22 of 48 | Posted by: Beth Budzik (Hinman) - IN

“Dear Jessie and All of Rachel's Family, Although I didn't know Rachel personally, only through the loving words of her gvmvehrandmother, I know...Read More » ”
23 of 48 | Posted by: Anne Kwart - Lansing, MI

“The staff of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would like to express our deepest and sincerest sympathies to the entire Worthington Family. ”
24 of 48 | Posted by: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - West Michigan

“To the Worthington Family, I am so sorry to hear about Rachel's passing. I knew her through my childhood best friend Leanne Hinman, and what an...Read More » ”
25 of 48 | Posted by: Abby Smith - Three Oaks, MI

“I got to know Rachel while she was one of my students at Upton Middle School. I can still see her bright smile, even 16 years later! Her effervescent...Read More » ”
26 of 48 | Posted by: Peggy - Saint Joseph, MI

“I remember when I first met Rachel many years ago when I was with Connie and T-Bone at a golf event. Beautiful girl and now a beautiful angel to...Read More » ”
27 of 48 | Posted by: Pam Szmanda - South Bend, IN

“Rachel was an outstanding young lady who put up a most courageous fight against a difficult illness. Her attitude and effort while in High School...Read More » ”
28 of 48 | Posted by: Jeffrey L. Runser - St. Joseph, MI

“I had the privilege of having Rachel in my Medical Terminology class at Lake Michigan College. She was a very hard working and conscientious student...Read More » ”
29 of 48 | Posted by: Karen Pieplow - St. Joseph, MI

“John, My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim Ireland ”
30 of 48 | Posted by: Jim Ireland - Sawyer, MI - Friend

“I have so many great memories of Rachel! It seemed like we were always together. Either Rachel was at my house or I was at her house. What a...Read More » ”
31 of 48 | Posted by: Leanne Heeg - Fishers, IN

“To Rach's Mom, Dad, sisters, and brother, I cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. I met Rachel soon after her transplant. She...Read More » ”
32 of 48 | Posted by: Trish Barnes - Friend

“I am so sorry to hear about Rachel. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Worthington Family. ”
33 of 48 | Posted by: Jeff Hinman - Saint Cloud, FL

“My Thoughts and Prayers are with the entire Worthington Family.. ”
34 of 48 | Posted by: Peter Lange - Laporte, IN

“The Worthington Family, Our thoughts and prayers for all of you through this difficult time. Keep you faith and strength. ”
35 of 48 | Posted by: Dina & Lee Malone

“John & Mary, We are so sorry for your loss and extend our condolences. We remember the CF golf outings and fundraisers for Rachel. God bless you and...Read More » ”
36 of 48 | Posted by: Frank & Diana Hoffmann - MI

“To the family of the Worthington's: I loved Rachel since I moment I met her in Kindergarten. Not only was Rachel one of my best friends during our...Read More » ”
37 of 48 | Posted by: Lissa Magner-DeFord - Hartford, MI

“Dear Worthington Family, We are very sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers will be with your entire family during this very difficult time. ...Read More » ”
38 of 48 | Posted by: Chad Scharnowske

“Dear Worthington Family, GOD bless you and keep you. I can't find the right words to express my sympathies for your loss. Rachel was truly a...Read More » ”
39 of 48 | Posted by: Andrea L Putnam Struble - MI

“I have many happy memories of our families doing things together and the three girls and Daniel. He didn't seem to mind at that time being the only...Read More » ”
40 of 48 | Posted by: Julie Shinevar - Laporte , IN

“To the Worthington Family We are so sorry for the loss of you daughter,sister, Rachel. We pray that God gives you strength and peace at this very...Read More » ”
41 of 48 | Posted by: Steve and Kathy Hammond - MI

“Rachel, I am so glad to have known you in high school through friends and the band. I know you will be greatly missed by your friends and family. ”
42 of 48 | Posted by: Matthew Rose - Kawasaki, Japan

“Rachel, I will never forget you! You have touched my life from the first day I met you on the school bus in high school (my freshman yr & your...Read More » ”
43 of 48 | Posted by: Alan Negron - Bismarck, ND

“Rachel, Friday night you were at peace, calm and restful and for once, you were in control of your disease and life......this still does not even...Read More » ”
44 of 48 | Posted by: lindsay french

“Mary and John, I have always been in awe of the journey your family has taken since Rachel was born. You all represent what family really means. ...Read More » ”
45 of 48 | Posted by: June Bowman - Saint Joseph, MI

“Rachel was such a wonderful loving soul. My high school memories would not be the same without her and her strength and passion for life. I will...Read More » ”
46 of 48 | Posted by: Juli (Apthorpe) Denike - VA

“It was so great to meet you. You really inspired me when met for the first time. To be older than me and to have had a lung transplant could not...Read More » ”
47 of 48 | Posted by: Shelly - Detroit, MI

“We were so sorry to hear the sad news about Rachel. She fought the good fight for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and Mary and the...Read More » ”
48 of 48 | Posted by: Clif & Lynda Adams - St. Joseph, MI


Love Emblem

On January 28, 2012, in the arms of her loving parents and surrounded by her family, our beloved daughter and sister, Rachel, lost her 30-year lifetime battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

Rachel was born on October 2, 1981, in St. Joseph, Michigan. Rachel was a beautiful child who grew into a strong and courageous young woman. She loved many things about life: spending time with her family and friends, the color pink, sparkly clothing and fashion, spending summers at the lake cottage in Charlevoix, her dog Ruby and cat Lilly, and working with small children.

Rachel graduated in 2000 from St. Joseph High School, where she enjoyed being in the colorguard, listening to music, hanging out at the beach with friends, going to movies, and competing in the Miss St. Joseph Pageant. After high school, Rachel went on to attend Western Michigan University. Her studies were interrupted on November 10, 2004, when she received the Gift of Life – a bilateral lung transplant at the University of Michigan Medical Center. This miracle allowed her once again to continue on with life. Rachel's family was thrilled to see her return to college and graduate in December 2005, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Rachel then lived in Kalamazoo for several years, where she held a variety of jobs; her most enjoyable being a preschool teacher. Because of continuing health issues, Rachel returned to St. Joseph in 2010 to be with her family.

Rachel is survived by her parents John and Mary, her brother Daniel, and sisters Michelle and Laura, all from St. Joseph. She is also survived by her grandparents Robert and Vivian Lamond of Lansing, Michigan, Jessie Worthington of Holland, Michigan, many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, and great friends from childhood and college.

A very special person in Rachel's life was her grandfather, Dr. Ralph Worthington, whom she has joined in heaven.

Rachel's family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the following: the family of her organ donor who gave Rachel a second chance at life, and the doctors and medical staff at the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies and the University of Michigan Medical Center Transplant Teams.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00A.M. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday with Liturgical Prayers recited at 8:00 P.M. Donations in Rachel's memory can be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Michigan (www.cff.org/Chapters/grand-rapids/) or the Michigan Pulmonary Disease Community, Inc. (www.mpdci.org). Those wishing to sign Rachel's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Rachel was a teacher in many ways. She taught everyone who met her to love life and live it to its fullest, to be courageous, and to be brave. She will be sadly missed by all those whose lives she touched.