Thursday, January 15, 2009

The Final Chapter

Family and friends and those who we may not know; it is with deep pain and profound sadness that I pass on to all of you that our Rachie has left us to be with God in Heaven.

She passed away early this morning at 3:45 am, with her family all present; we all were able to tell her goodbye and give her our love before she left. She squeezed my hand and looked right at me prior to passing; I knew she was saying goodbye.

For all of you who may be crying and reading this entry through tears, remember, she was in a lot of pain and discomfort due to the melanoma tumors and lymphedema. The treatment she was undergoing caused her a great deal of pain as well. Her passing has relieved her of all of that pain and discomfort. There is no more suffering for her to go through.

Through this past year, and through all of her 31 years, we met some amazing people. I think Rachel had a way of bringing out the amazing in everyone she met, even in some people she never met. She touched people all around the world; saved marriages, saved lives, and made an impression that everyone who knew her will remember her by.

To all of you who we were close to; her family, her girls, (her boys), her work-mates both at The Lube and in Japan, I offer my condolences and my assurance that she is so much better now. She loved you all more than you'll ever know; and even though she is not with us on Earth anymore, she is and will be in our hearts forever.

I want you all to take what has happened to her and use it for some lessons in life (not just to cut down or stop the tanning and checking out the skin for moles):

- Don't ever go to bed angry at someone, especially someone you love.
- Don't hold any grudges against anyone, no matter how bad they have hurt you.
- Don't waste time not telling those close to you how you feel. Say I love you as often as you can.
- Do have compassion for those not only who need it, but for everyone you meet.
- Do smile and laugh as much as possible.
- Do pass on your knowledge on to those who you work with. Being a mentor is something that can be one of the most rewarding jobs you do.

There are a thousand more of these I have been taught by my late wife. The gift of 7 years of being together is the best thing I have ever received in my lifetime. I am sure all of you who knew her in the last 31 years are thinking the same thing.

May God give you all his blessings and give you peace in this time of mourning.

Rest in Peace my Muffin, my Angel, my Sweet Girl.

Rachel Suzanne (Beasley) Possert
October 26, 1977 - January 15, 2009

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so, so sorry! I worked with Rachel at the Lube and I remember when you two got engaged. I always looked forward to seeing her at work...such an amazing, beautiful, hilarious spirit! I am heartbroken and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Maureen

Anonymous said...

Im so sad right now i loved rachel so much and no she is gone. im goin to miss her funny personality,and im goin to miss her smile it was so good. i will keep the whole family in my prayers i love all of u guys

Katie said...

Hi Rich,

I was so saddened to hear this news. Please know I am thinking about you and your family. I didn't know Rachel very well, but I do remember her vividly as sarcastic and hilarious, and I know how much she will be missed.

Take care of yourselves,
Katie Hall

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. She is a beautiful person and will be missed by all. We had some great times together and I will miss that. She had a contageous laugh.. She will be missed but never forgotten... I will keep her in my heart and the family in my prayers.... Love to all. Alesha

Anonymous said...

Hello, I do not know you all, I recieved your story from Alison Bartko as a prayer erequest for you and your family. I cried the whole story, because in a way I know how this affects you. When I was 17 I had to watch my Mom suffer and die from cancer. Although the selfish part of wanted her to stay, I knew she was better off with the Lord and longer in pain. So many people do not take cancer and other diseases seriously until it affects them and its to late. My prayers are with you and your family. I will forward this on so that someone else might learn to take this seriously'1 God Bless you in your time of grief.
Amanda Browning

Nicole said...

Hello,
I went to Ursuline with Rachel and we met when she was a junior and I was a freshmen. We played basketball together and I have some great memories of her. The funniest thing was her teaching me how to pump gas into her car. She couldn't believe that I couldn't do it. I had her dad as my coach. I will remember her and her craziness. I realize this is a very tough time, but I know that she is at peace and not at pain anymore. This world is minus one very special person who has touched many lives. I got back in contact with her about 1 1/2 years ago on myspace while she was in Japan and we used to talk through there. It was great to hear from her. I am deeply saddened by her death, but know that her memories will live on in others. I have been reading Rich's blog daily and am amazed by your strength. She was very lucky to have such a special person by her side throughout this challange that God gave her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very trying time. Nicole Carvell Hagerty - Ursuline class of 98

Buckeye4life said...

I am sorry for your loss.Rachel is at peace now Rich.I went thru it a few years back with my mom.The suffering is over and she's in a better place.Take Care and stay strong,Brian A Muzer

Anonymous said...

Hi, Ricky. You do not know me. I am a good friend of Stacie (Diana) Mamula. We have talked at length about your wife in the five years that I have known her. Rachel this and Rachel that..."you know, Pam, my very good friend who lives in Japan..."

From all I have heard from Stacie, she was an amazing person, friend, and wife. After reading your blogs, I am sobbing. She seemed to be quite an analomy.

You and your family are in my thoughts an prayers.

Pam Kavali

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry for all you guys went through. Your loss is immense. You don't know me. I am a memember of yahoo group Melanoma Awareness. I am caregiver to my husband who has melanoma. Your story touched my heart. I am very sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Rich, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know Rachel that well, however I knew your love for her from seeing the two of you together in the past. Keep strong and know that she will always be with you in heart and soul. My deepest sympathy to you and your families.

Melissa Miller

Unknown said...

Rich we are so saddened to hear of Rachel's passing. Renee had worked with Rachel at the lube and I had the chance to party with her on old melody lane for many summers. She will be greatly missed by all, but never forgotten. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Billy and Renee Sarisky

Anonymous said...

Hi Rich
You have me smiling through my tears with your words about Rachel. You were both so very blessed to have each other - 'cause you are both amazing people that I'm proud to call family! I am committed to stop the crazy tanning - and if you see doing otherwise, please feel free to kick my butt.
I have such vivid memories of Rachel as a rosie cheeked, blond curled little girl. She has been fun, kind, beautiful and loving all of her life, which she lived well.
I am so happy that you and Rachel found each other, and that she lived the last several years of her life as an adored wife and sweetheart.
I so appreciate you sharing your memories of Rachel with us. Because of distance, I guess I didn't know the "woman" Rachel well enough - - but well enough to know that she was truly special, and she will be missed.
I have thought of all of you in Hubbard throughout the day, and have prayed mightily for all of you. You can't know how very thankful I am for the man you are Rich, and for the tender way you cared for Rachel these last tormenting weeks. You are a blessing!
I know we'll see you in a couple of days, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get words out in person to adequately express the depth of my love and gratitude for you and to you. I am so sorry for your loss - Love and prayers
Aunt Sue

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I grew up with Rachel, her sister Sarah and I were best friends when we were younger. She was like a little sister to me. I remember her smile would light up the room when she walked in. She will be greatly missed and always in my thoughts. She was blessed to have you in her life. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing her story.

Anonymous said...

It's been years since i have seen Rachel but I always will remember she was a very good person that never deserved to go through any of this. We will never understand why God takes the good people away so young. May your heart heal in time and may Rachel rest now in peace. I'll be sending love and strength through prayers.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you and your family and the Beasleys. I never knew Rachel well but this is such a loss.

- An Ursuline grad

Anonymous said...

Rick,
We have been keeping up with your blog and We heard from over here and want you to know that you are in our hearts and prayers.

~sloany

Lisa Marini said...

Rich, I`m so upset with the passing of Rach. I`m "the brazilian sister"... Every now and then Rachel and I emailed each other, and I was aware of your battle since the beggining, but I never knew the real situation until I read your blog. Yesterday, when I got the sad news I cryied desperatly and regret that I couldn`t call and talk to her one last time. She is part of a very important time of my life, and her presence in that time made it so great and fun! I consider her my little sister, and that`s how I`ll remember her, and her beautiful smile and her bright eyes so full of life!
Thanks for sharing your story with us... It helped to confort me, knowing that she is so loved by you, and also to know that you`re in peace too now that she`s resting!
I hope I can meet you in person someday.
Love,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

To Rachel's Family,

In middle school, I remember coming over every day after school to see Rachel. My Family used to tell me to stop going over so much because it was bad manners!..but I always went anyway:0) I enjoyed Rachel's personality so much and just loved being around her. I can still remember singing Madonna in her room. My heart truly goes out to you all. She will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,
Sarah George

Anonymous said...

I went to Ursuline with Rachel and played soccer with her for two years. I didn't know many people when I started UHS, and Rachel was one of the first friends I made. I remember the couple times we hung out at her house and she showed me her basement wall with all the handwritten signatures on it, and I remember thinking, 'wow, she has a lot of friends!' But it made sense. She was intoxicating to be around. She was happy, funny and just so sweet. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. Truly good people like Rachel shouldn't have to suffer. My thoughts are with you right now.

Betsy Vereckey, UHS c/o '98

Unknown said...

I am very sorry for your loss. My daughter has been keeping me informed of things with you and your family. You are on the same ship with my son in law. Please know that we are keeping you in our prayers. God Bless, Leah

Anonymous said...

My heart goes out to you Rich, your family, and the Beasley family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.
God Bless you for having the courage to share your and Rachel's story. For I truly believe that from your tragedy, you have touched so many lives!
May Rachel's soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.

With love,
The Dambrogio's

Anonymous said...

I graduated from Ursuline with Rachel, but sadly had not seen her since 1996. Time is funny that way... But one thing is for sure, Rachel's spirit was so unique and will never be forgotten by anyone who crossed her path. I pray that your memories bring you some peace at this unbelievably difficult time. God bless you, your families and Rachel.

Anonymous said...

We are so very sorry for your loss. We knew Rachel from the time she was just a little tyke. We were honorary aunt & uncle - she was like one of our own children. We have so many good memories of her & Sarah and our two girls growing up. Those memories will stay with us forever. Please know that our thoughts, prayers and love are with you, her mom & dad and her sister. Rachel had a way of touching the lives of those she met - we are all fortunate to have known and loved her.

Gary & Faye Clark

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I used to work with Rachel in Japan. She was always so nice to my family and I. When it was my kid's birthday's she would make them cupcakes, and we had always preferred her cupcakes because my family and I thought they were the best and enjoyed them very much.
I always wished her the best for her and her family. I am very saddened by all that she had to go through and to what has happened. She was a strong, high- spirited women. We'll always have Rachel and her family in our prayers. We miss her dearly, and wish you and your family the very best.

Patricia Tamayo

Bobbie said...

Dear Rich, I did not know Rachel at all but found a link through a prayer request! I am so sorry for your loss and really can't begin to understand the ache in your heart! I just want you to know my family will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers! May God Bless and keep you now and always!

Stitch said...

I am so sorry to hear about Rachael. I was in school with her sister Sarah and my brother was in school with Rachael at St. Patricks. My heart aches at this news; she was such a wonderful and amazing person! Whenever we would see each other she was always smiling, full of energy and bubbling with all the new adventures she was undertaking! I know her strength in faith has placed her with Christ. She will be greatly missed. Rick and the Beasley family, you are in my prayers always! God Bless and help you heal and live in the strength of Rachael's love of life! Sincerely, Jennifer Delciappo (Arthur)

faye said...

Bless you. Your openness is very beautiful, a beautiful tribute.

JB aka JayBee said...

Rick,

I am sorry for your loss. I think it is wonderful that you are honoring your wife's life.

I was diagnosed with melanoma in 1998 and have been living with metastatic melanoma for over a year now.

Best wishes to you, my heart goes out to you in your time of mourning.

Anonymous said...

Rich,
Dont know if you will get this. I had the honor of meeting you this weekend during the renewal at St. Pats. I knew of all the hard times you and your lovely wife went thru, however, reading your posts and fighting the tears, it is amazing of what kind of person you are and how much the two of you loved each other. We both know there is nothing to take the place of someone as speical and beautiful as your wife, but while she was here with you, she was loved more than anything (and always will be!) I am so happy you took this weekend for your self at the renewal, i know i am a better person for meeting you. With the utmost gratitude, respect and love my brother and shipmate, Joe Pantone - lay director, St. Pats Mens Renewal Team, 2009.