Rachel L. Skelly

On Tuesday, March 20, just before 8 a.m. Rachel L. Skelly stepped off into eternity, following a 19 month battle with leukemia and related conditions. She is no longer in pain, and she is making beautiful music for us all now. Rachel has been surrounded by devoted friends and loving family: her parents Robert and Cynthia Skelly, her children Olivia Skelly-Williams, Cadance Johnson, and Julian and Elijah Skelly; her sisters Emily and Erin Skelly and her brother Ryan Skelly; aunts and uncles Meg and Nick Papadolias, and Lisa and Jim Eby, and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins: John, Adam, Web, Kyle, Mason, Isabel, Isaiah, Lillian, Lily, Felix, Cassidy; and by her partner in love Antoine. Rachel was preceded in death by her brother Brendan Skelly, her grandparents Robert and Helen Skelly, and her uncle Keith Franklin Skelly.

Her family and friends were blessed to have her on earth with us for 43 years.  Rachel made every minute count.  She left no heart untouched.  She changed everyone who crossed her path.  We will all be forever better for knowing her, richer for having the privilege to have loved her and wiser having heard the knowledge she shared with each of us. All who survive her mourn today. Yet, we celebrate knowing that on the first day of spring in 2018 Rachel chose to start her new life.  She did not give up.  She never gave up.  She accepted God's hand, his invitation to unite in a life as beautiful as her.  

—Kate Taylor

Rachel’s life will be celebrated with visitation on Friday, March 30 from 2 until 8 pm at Lain-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Westwood Drive, Park Forest. Service will be at noon on Saturday, March 31, at Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Drive, Park Forest.