BLACKWOOD, Rachel Louise

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, November 24, 2006 Rachel Louise Blackwood, 18 years old, passed away peacefully at home with her mother on June 2, 2006, in Prescott, Arizona. Rachel was born in Livermore California. She and her family moved to Prescott in 1994 and graduated with honors from Prescott High School in 2005. She was the recipient of the President's Award for Excellence scholarship to the University of Arizona in honor of her outstanding academic achievements. Rachel joined the Masonic community every July 4 to pull weeds and help maintain the Prescott Pioneers cemetery. She was often seen volunteering at Sharlot Hall Museum. Rachel devoted time to Granite Gate retirement center organizing arts and crafts. As a high school senior, Rachel ran the after school clubs program at Abia Judd Elementary School where she planned, executed and supervised "club" activities. This experience inspired her to go to the University of Arizona with a double major, Education and Political Science. Her dream was to teach children in underprivileged countries. Rachel leaves behind her mother, Laura Blackwood; her sister, Roxanne Blackwood of Prescott, Arizona; father and step-mother, Bob and Patti Blackwood of Kelseyville, California; and grandparents, Winifred and Charlie Harbeson of Prescott. Rachel will also be deeply missed by her aunts and uncles along with eight cousins. Rachel was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls here in Prescott for six years. She believed that a life service, charity, and love could one ever truly be happy. She was worthy advisor of her local chapter in 2003. She continued on to represent her assembly at a state level. Rachel was dedicated to serve others in her community; the following are her own words: "As you know I have been diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphcytic leukemia) and this has forced my stay at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. My illness has given me time to think about things. I have received an outpouring of love and charity from my community. It has made me realize just how important the lesson of charity is. Charity is unselfish giving of oneself to another and through these past few troubling weeks I have come to realize how important it is to have people in my life that care. Though this illness may slow me down a bit it will give me the opportunity to convey the message of charity to others in my community and show them there truly are other treasures contained in the pot of gold that I have found in a life of service." The dignity, courage and grace Rachel has reflected over the past few months could only flow from a wise "old" soul. While the world has lost the opportunity to spend more time with Rachel and to learn from her, we should all take note of her message. Her family would like to thank all of those who reached out to Rachel during her illness and thank them for the many prayers, cards, calls and gifts received. Commemorative services will be held on Saturday, June 17, at 4 p.m. at the Heights Church on Larry Caldwell Drive, Prescott, Arizona. A rainbow memorial celebration will be June 19, 2006, at 7 p.m. at the Masonic Temple in the Bank of America building, 1028 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, Arizona. Sunrise Funeral Home is assisting the family. Arrangements entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors.