Uncle Marky and Auntie KJ miss you, love you and we rejoice knowing you are home. Today you are 19 living in a kingdom, you are healthy, with family. Watch for the 19 balloons we are sending you today. Until we see you again. Know that the days we got to spend with you on Gods earth left us forever imprinted with your joy. Please kiss Summer for me. Uncle Markie

Good morning angel. Just thinking about you this morning in a special way. I miss you so much. I still see you walking with Jesus daily and I know He has so much in store for you for all eternity. I will see you when He calls me. Until then, you will be loved every day with every breath. Love you my little one......Daddy

Good morning my angel. 4 years ago right at this time mom and I were in your hospital room after sending you down for your surgery and “new” leg. God was merciful to us all that day, giving us what would be 9 more earthly months with you. I miss you every day, yet rejoice for where you are and Who you are with. We will see you when He calls....

Hello angel. Just missing you a bit this morning. The Sandbox had a wonderful event yesterday and you were the Hero child. You are so loved even today by so many here, and even as you don’t know this, Jesus sees it all and He knows. I can only imagine as you are walking with Him how He must enjoy the company of his special children. I love you baby girl. In the blink of an eye, we will all be together again when He calls.

My littlest angel....three short years ago you stepped into the arms of your Jesus as He carried you to your eternal reward. I miss you so very much every day, but rejoice that you are where you are. You made the best decision of your life on earth by accepting His gift of eternal life. I’ll get to see you again because of that when He comes for me. I will love you here every day until then. My “runt”, my baby girl. Daddy

Missing you Sweet Girl on this your third anniversary in Heaven.  Knowing you are with Jesus, Grandma, Grandpa and Athena brings solace to us here as we await our turn. Love you, Aunt Marianne.

I will always remember sweet Rachel from Chess Club at Rainbow Lake!

Hello my angel. Three short years ago today, you gave your mommy the very best birthday gift ever, when you received believers baptism in Christ. I miss you terribly, yet know because of your faith and love of Jesus I get to see you again. Love you forever and a day❤️ Daddy

Good morning my precious angel. It’s Christmas Day 2018. I am so glad you get to spend another day with your Savior, even as I am broken hearted not having you here with all of us. I know you are where you belong, and I will await His call for me one day, and my joy will be regained. You are with me always, my baby girl.

Hello my little girl. Just thinking about you today as always. It was a special day though yesterday, because it was three years ago that you fully understood how much God loves you and had you in his care. I hope one day when we see each other again we will both realize how special that day was because it allowed us to be together for eternity with our family and our Creator. Love you my angel ...

Missing you my angel on what would be your 18th birthday were you here. I know you are with Jesus and enjoying eternity, yet I miss you so very much. Looking to the day when I can be with you again. All my love, Daddy

Just thinking of you as always my angel

Hello my angel. Just thinking about you this morning – we went to your class graduation on Thursday night and they honored you with a special remembrance. Your best friends all miss you and will remain forever a part of our family until we all join Christ and you when He calls us home. I miss you my little one. I am confident Jesus has you in His care.

Love you sweet girl your beauty your beautiful smile and laughter forever is with us and I know you are lighting up heaven with that beautiful laughter. We know you are happy and and peace. Love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️ The Costagliolas

At 8:41 AM, 2016, a hole was left in my heart that will never heal. Because you gave your heart to Christ, I am so thankful that Jesus came that morning Himself to bring you with Him to your eternal paradise. I look forward to being with you again when He calls me home. Until then, I know He has you in His hands, and though I miss you terribly, I see you and Athena running across the universe. You will forever be my littlest angel, and my best friend. Love, Daddy

Thinking about you and the whole family today. Rejoicing for the Angel who watches over you all. The family has come a long way. This is not an easy road to travel. I’m glad Rach is guiding you all, watching over her sisters and keeping them safe. Peace be with you all today and every day of this journey. We love you all our family in Christ.

Dear Rachel, I've been thinking about you so much recently and I really miss you a lot. I'm so happy that we got to meet on that first day of middle school, and I don't think it was a coincidence at all. I miss all the classes we had together and waiting for our parents after school with you. I miss you coming over and me going to your house. I miss your funny laugh and all your stories. I miss talking to you for hours on the phone and telling you what I never told anyone else. I miss you so much Rachel, and that will never change. Thank you for all the inside jokes and the amazing memories. Thank you for always being there for me and always making me laugh. Thank you for being a part of my life and my best friend. You'll always be in my heart and I miss you so much! I love you very much and can't wait until we meet again. 
Love, Natushi

Oh my little angel - just sitting here thinking of you. This sadness will all be a distant memory one day when He calls me home and I can meet Jesus and you. Father God, thank You for caring for Rachel so well. I love you both....

My angel.....your 17th birthday here on earth is really your second in an eternal number of them coming your way as you live with Jesus. I miss you so much and Long to hold you and hear your voice, and praise God I will get to do those things again when He calls me home. I love you baby girl, forever and a day. Daddy

I hope you talking to my grandparents and extended family up there ari.

Happy Birthday Beautiful, Sweet, Funny Rachel, You always lit up every room and brought happiness where ever you were. I know heaven is brighter with your light shining through! The Costagliolas love you and miss you we will always carry your beautiful spirit with us always! Love you!

My angel - one short year ago we celebrated your life in a beautiful church service. I think of you every day and will do so until I join you and Jesus. Enjoy your new life sweet girl.

Rachel, it's hard to believe that you're contagious smile and laughter have been gone for over a year now. Seems like you were always smiling and laughing, regardless of what was going on. I miss chatting with you on the phone, while waiting for your mom or dad to pick up. It was always a pleasant surprise when you answered.

I imagine you have been busy bringing smiles to a lot of people's' faces. I miss you, but it won't be long 'till those of us who know Jesus as our savior will be going home to join you. Then, we'll get to see your smile and hear you laugh again!

To My Uncle Gerard, Aunt Debbie, Diana & Sarah, It has taken me a few days to write this message hoping the perfect, most comforting words would come to mind. Yet still, 2 days later, nothing seems like it would ease your pain. Rachel's smile (brighter than the brightest star) can bring happiness to anyone and at the same time gives me a lump in my throat and brings tears of sadness to my eyes. I would just like to say that I love you all and I am so sorry she is not with us any longer. We will never forget her and her bright smile! Love, "Cousin" Patty

You are missed beyond words... but your earthly efforts continue to help many. God knew his plan for you Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. We love you!

My angel......not a moment goes by that I don't miss you or have you in my mind and heart. I know you can't see or hear me, but Jesus, who you are walking with and get to see every day, does. I pray daily that He cares for you and know you are eternally healed and loving eternal life. I will see you both someday soon "in the blink of an eye". You will always be my baby girl and my best friend. Love always, daddy

My deepest sympathy to all my cousins on this sad anniversary. Rachel's beauty remains in all our hearts. May your love for each other bring you comfort. Cousin Barbara

Hi Rachel i hope you are having fun with my bubbie and zayde and my grandma up there Ari.

My God daughter; You now live in peace, and no pain, Rachel.
This is the only Earthly comfort we have.

Uncle Joe, Aunt Cora, Sammy, and Joseph.

Rachel was my best friend in middle school/high school. She was truly a light, and a bundle full of laughter. I love her, and miss her so so much! She is up there in heaven having a blast and I know she's watching over me. She was a lovely person with a beautiful soul.

Love Edita, Juliya, Mira, Ivan, Mike, and Eddie

Rachel, you do not know me...but I was friends with your Dad many, many, years ago....when I heard that you were sick, I prayed for you to get well . .but our dear Lord, needed you with him, so he took you home and you became another beautiful Angel in our Forever home, Heaven. There you are free of any pain and you are well again, that is a blessing. I do hope to meet you someday when I am called home too, until then, watch over your Family and I am sending you love up to Heaven!!!!

Never forgotten...

Happy 16th birthday angel....we will always celebrate here on earth the day Christ gave you to us to raise for Him. You won your race - see you when I cross my finish line. Love always, Daddy

Rachel, you will always be the sunshine that warms my heart, know that not a day goes by that your not missed. Your laughter was the magic that resonates in my mind. I know today is your special day but everyday we rejoice in the knowledge that we were blessed to call you our niece and our family. We love you Aunty Kerri

Thinking of you all on this special day, and wishing you peace and comfort from the love you all share. Cousin Barbara

Gerry, Debbie, and your entire Family,
Words cannot express the sadness I feel for you all. I thank you so much for introducing your beautiful Rachel to me. In the short time I've known you, I can say with the utmost gratitude, Thank You for Blessing me with such a Faith Driven Family. You will forever be in my Heart.. My thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Rachel is now in Heaven soaring with her new wings because she is now an Angel and she will be there to receive you all one day very soon to spend eternity together. My sincerest Love Always My New Friends. Diana Brown

I just heard about your sweet Rachel. I cannot express to you how much I hated to hear the news. She was always a delightful patient with such a sweet smile. She fought a good fight. I cannot imagine how much you miss her but know that the God we serve will comfort you and give you the strength to continue in this life. We have a hope knowing Rachel is well, walking streets of gold and praising Jesus for the sacrifice He made for us. I pray that you will have a peace knowing that you will see her again. 2 Samuel 12:22-23

Dear Gerard, Debbie, Diana, Sarah, and Michael,
Our sorrow at the loss of your beautiful daughter and sister is profound. We are so grateful for having known Rachel. She will always remain in our hearts. We send you our heartfelt sympathy with the hope you find peace in the love and strong family bonds that you are blessed with. Know we are thinking of you and sending our deepest sympathy. Cousins Barbara and John

Precious Rachel aka "Stinky". I have so many wonderful memories of you. Swimming in the pool in the summers, playing scene it with the whole family(and you falling asleep), holidays, Sunday lunches at the Monster's house, you keeping eating more meatballs!, hearing your mom and dad always say "Come here Mommmy. Give me a kiss!". You are so loved precious little one! Everyone who knew you lit up when they saw your face and smile. My heart is so sad that we don't have more time to watch you grow anymore. But, we will see you again. You are in no more pain. I have thought of you every day. Love you Miss Rachel! Love, Pookess

Rachel, you have been an inspiration to anyone that has known you. Rest in peace and love knowing that you have given more than you will ever know.

Michael, There are no words that I can offer your family during this time. Please just know that you are all in my prayers.

Our hearts are absolutely broken and though Rachel is rejoicing with our Savior, complete and whole once again in body and spirit, the tears still fall. Looking through the pictures on this tribute I see what a beautiful young lady she was and cannot get over how much she and her sisters look like their beautiful Mom. You all have a huge hole in your hearts and no doubt find life very hard right now without Rachel but I am certain that God will provide the comfort you all need today and in the days to come!! One day in the not so distant future you will all be reunited again as we all will with our loved ones. Andy & I are praying for your precious family to receive the grace and strength that only God can provide during this unfathomable time of sorrow. Hold on to HIM, he will take you through this valley & up to the mountain top. She is suffering no more!! Love you all!!

The Distefano family is in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time...we were never fortunate enough to meet Rachel. Reading all of these tributes she must have been an amazing young woman. She is now with our Lord pain free, and watching over her family. Sending prayers for comfort and strength...

From Trudy & Steve Goldman. We wish to send along our sympathy to the DiStefano family. Our thoughts & prayers have been with your family, since we learned of Rachel's condition from Mark & his family. We are so sorry for your loss.

I am very sorry that you lost Rachel at such an young age. As her parents you gave her the best gift anyone could have given her....the gift of life. As family and friends you gave her your love. Now she has eternal life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

I always had fun when I would come down and visit Mike and you and the rest of your family You will be forever missed glad you are not in pain any more.

Rachel, I have said so many times the last few days that you are an angel that was sent here for a purpose. There is not a person that you met that you did not touch in some way or possibly changed their life for the better. That smile always lit up the room. Rest easy now honey. You will always be with us and you will absolutely always be Uncle Joey's peanut. Love you always sweet child.

My littlest angel..... what an awesome gift God gave to me in allowing me to be your earthly father and shepherd. I was there with you when He gave you the breath of life, and there with you when He received it back. I am sure of your presence with Christ as I was with you when you gave your life to Him, and when you were baptized and reborn in Him. You were not just my littlest girl but my best friend, doing everything from gathering firewood to garage sailing, yet had all the traits a young godly woman possesses. You will always be with me here, and though I wanted to be with Jesus first and receive you and your Mom and sisters and brother, that privilege is now yours alone. I shall see you in the blink of an eye my precious one - until I arrive, you go and enjoy Heaven with Jesus, Summer, Gram and all who have stayed faithful, finished the trial, and won the race. I love you, my precious Lamb of God....Daddy

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Rachel. I taught her in the 6th and 8th grade and got the great opportunity to know her. She was a wonderful and gentle young lady. She was the type of person that we all strive to be and she will be greatly missed. I know that she will forever have a place in heaven and in my heart. My life is better for having known her. Rachel you truly were one of my favorite students of all time.

Rachel was one of my all time favorite students in my Chess Club at Rainbow Lake Middle School. She was funny, smart, sassy and yet respectful when she needed to be! I loved her spirit and I am heartbroken that she is gone. I too was blessed in knowing her.