A memorial was held on November 7, 2010 in the memory of Martha Rashell Young who was born on October 31, 1972 and passed away from complications due to liver cancer on November 6, 2010. The memorial was very moving - we gathered on the jetty off of Aquatic Park and each person was invited to write a word on a stone that characterized Rashell and then toss them into the Bay as a message to her. We then went to the restaurant Ana Mandara and shared thoughts about her. We toasted with red wine and dark chocolate (two of her favorites). It was very intimate and touching. As you know, she was an incredible person and touched many lives. We will remember Rashell forever.
Your thoughts and prayers are welcome and there is a scholarship fund set up at UC Berkeley in her honor in lieu of flowers or gifts. If you wish to contribute, please make the check payable to the UC Berkeley Foundation, with a note (either on the check or separately) that the gift is for the Rashell Young Fellowship. The check can be mailed to:
University of California
University Relations
2080 Addison St. #4200
Berkeley, CA 94720-4200
Rashells' Funeral was held 21Nov.2010, in Chester S.C. At Cedar Grove Baptist church. Her mother and I are posting her obituary to share with all those who loved her.
God Bless
James and Betty Young
Obituary
I am Rashell's aunt and I called her Ra Ra because she was so special you had to say it twice. As I sit her typing the tears continue to roll down my face because she was such a special and beautififul young woman. I wish that I had had the the opportunity to know her better, but through the testimonies of the friends from California, Michael, Stacey and Martha, I got to know more about my niece. I thank them for shaing with me the WOMAN Ra Ra had become. I didn't know of all the wonderful ways she had touched so many people's lives through ordinary everyday things, such as BMW's voice activation system, or the way that she dedicated herself to helping others deal with devasting and complicated illnessess; but this I know, she impacted everyone she met. There are no words to express our grief as a family, but the Lord has gained a wonderful Soldier and Angel in His Army and I know that we have her looking after and watching out for us forever until we meet in Heaven. I have a little greatgrand son who died on November 11, 2008, and now Rashell has that beautiful little boy to love and call her own until we all get to heaven. I thank you Lord for giving us this wonderful, vibriant young woman to be my niece and for loving her enough to bring her home, where there is only the JOY of the Lord. Rashell I promise to help your parent's and brother as much as I can. We LOVE you and will alway miss you until we see that beautiful smile of your's standing beside our brother Jesus and our Father the Lord. Always missed, but new forgotten. Aunt Jo
I knew Rashell for 9 years. We met right at the time she was diagnosed with cancer. I was always amazed at how she handled this disease and adversity in general. Whenever there was something new to tell about her condition she'd say that she'd spend the next 5 minutes talking about it and then on to something else. She was straight to the point but had no need or desire to dwell on the negative. I always admired and respected her for that. I don't know that I could have done the same. She had the ability to make me feel better about everything that she was going through. All through the heartache of dealing with this loss there is one thing that's helping me keep it together. She lived a great life. Her time here may seem way too short but man did she accomplish a lot and live a lot. Even through the battle of cancer she managed to keep her head up and live a life anyone would envy.
I know we're not supposed to post copyrighted material here but this song has been in my head. It's got Rashell's name and it rings true to her courage, conviction and spirit. So....
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
