A thanksgiving service to celebrate Rachel’s life was held at Launceston Central Methodist Church on Friday, May 30, conducted by Rev David Miller.

Rachel was a devoted mother, daughter, sister and auntie, a dedicated teacher and a friend to so many. Almost two hundred people attended the service, a reflection of just how many lives she had touched and how much she was loved.

Rachel attended St Thomas pre-school, St Catherine's Primary School and then Launceston College. She loved going to Rainbows, Brownies and Guides and attended Sunday School at Launceston Central Methodist Church. She loved school and at the age of ten decided that she was going to be a Primary School teacher. She never once changed her mind so, after her 'A' levels she went on to study for four years at Plymouth Marjon University to gain a Bachelor of Education.

Her first Saturday job was as a chambermaid at Lewtrenchard Hotel and she was then fortunate enough to get a part time job at Parkers Bakery. She was initially employed by Mr and Mrs Terry Parker but continued to work for Jo and Nigel on a part time basis until she completed her degree in 2006.

Rachel did supply work in various local primary schools while she looked for a fulltime teaching post. It was then that she was approached by a mutual friend to see whether she would be interested in travelling the world for twelve months with the singer Tori Amos, as a teacher to Natashya, her seven year old daughter. They travelled to virtually every country in Europe, over 40 states in America and many cities in Australia. It was hard work as she had to be available 24/7 but it was an unforgettable experience, travelling on a tour bus, staying in the very best hotels, touring with some of the best names in the business and meeting many celebrities.

On her return she was offered a full time teaching position at Marhamchurch C of E School and remained in post there for 17 years. In one of their OFSTED inspections Rachel was described as an outstanding teacher and one of her former head teachers said “Rachel was very caring and capable, ever ready to learn new things and made a wonderful contribution to the team and school life”. Another wrote “I have fond memories of working alongside Rachel and I was full of admiration for the learning buzz and special relationships she created in her classroom”.

Her family have had so many lovely cards and messages from parents and pupils singing her praises and will keep these for her daughters to read when they are older. Rachel was very excited when her twin nieces arrived in February 2020 and was a very proud auntie. When Ava arrived in June 2020 Rachel was over the moon and being a mummy became her most important job. Isla arrived three weeks early at home in January 2022 (delivered by Grandma) and so the little team was formed. Rachel took her precious girls to baby groups, music and dance sessions, toddler groups, craft workshops and many other activities. They loved the outdoors and enjoyed welly walks with friends and family, whatever the weather.

She had established a lovely new home for the three of them with the help of friends and family and was still adding little features the week before she passed away. Tina, Kevin and Ryan would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Henry at Launceston Lettings, Paul and Julie Hicks and Geoff Fisk who all played a huge part in helping Rachel to establish such a lovely home for her and the girls.

So many friends have come forward to say that despite her own heartache and personal challenges she was always there for them when they were facing hardships. Colleagues have described her as kind and caring, a beautiful person, a lovely and very loyal friend, a wonderful woman, the best mum, the best colleague and the best teacher to work with. Another colleague said that Rachel was an excellent teacher and her passion and dedication shone through. She was such fun to work with and inspired a lot of children with her enthusiasm for education.

Those joining Tina, Kevin and Ryan to celebrate Rachel’s life were: Mrs Gill Whitford (Mike Whitford), Mrs Jenny Worth, Mr Eric and Mrs Sally Rowland, Mr David Rogerson, Mr Spencer and Mrs Tricia Reed, Mrs Linda Good, Mrs Brenda Parnell (Mr and Mrs Geoff Parfitt), Mr Paul and Mrs Julie Hicks, Mr Trevor and Mrs Sheila Watkins, Mr Peter Dart, Mrs Angela Kinver, Mrs Debbie Kneebone, Mr Richard and Mrs Jill Price, Mr Steve and Mrs Pam Mounce, Miss Anna Rowe (St Catherine’s Primary School), Mrs Nicola Bullock, Mrs Rose Dunning, Mrs Lucy Williams, Mr Pete and Mrs Sue Ingerson, Mr Geoff and Mrs Barbara Fisk, Mrs Jan Philpotts, Mrs Jo Williams, Miss Leonora Jose, Mrs Alicia Jose (Dave Jose), Mr Marcus Jose, Mrs Gillian and Mr Derek Greenacre, Mrs Emma Astles, Mrs Emily Bishop, Ms Maggie Bungard, Mr Kevin Bungard, Mrs Tash Ellerington, Mrs Clare Hockin, Mrs L J Bowles, Mrs Sheila Robins, Mr Andrew and Mrs Hayley Robins, Mrs Tracey Venning, Mr Eric Walpole, Mr Roger and Mrs Lin Walpole (Mrs Gemma Hedges), Mrs Stacey Basford, Mrs Natasha Knott, Mr David and Mrs Carol Gordon, Mr Tony Marshall, Ms Linda Davey, Miss Nicola Olver, Miss Kate Edwards, Mrs Ann Olver, Mrs Hannah Fawdon, Mr Nigel and Mrs Julie Wadge, Miss Kenzie-Jayne Barker, Mr Dave Lewis, Mr Adrian and Mrs Sarah Steele, Mr Darren and Mrs Nikki Vanstone, Mr Derek and Mrs Pam Daniel, Mrs Maria Lopes, Mrs Rebecca Challis, Mrs Vivien Petchey, Mr Steve Whitford, Master Locryn Whitford, Miss Amy McDonnell, Mr Horace Statton, Mr Christopher and Mrs Jayne Biddle, Mr Chris and Mrs Becky Wells, Mrs Katie Stevenson, Mrs Julie Hill, Mrs Claudie Smith, Mrs Michelle Rutter, Mr Brian and Mrs Carol Price, Mrs Lynne Wheeler, Mr John Conway, Mr and Mrs Oliver Tape and family, Mr Philip Shillito, Miss Hannah Burns, Mr Andy and Mrs Jill North, Mrs Maureen Teixeira (Steward), Mrs Marian Allen (Steward), Miss Marie Smith (Mr Trevor Rowe) Mr Andrew and Mrs Alison Musson (The Musson family, Mrs Molly Hooper and Mr Mark Hooper), Mr Tony and Mrs Rita Dart, Mr Howard and Mrs Coral Locke, Mrs Heather Bishop (St Catherine’s Nursery), Mrs Caroline Penn (Dominic and Christopher), Mr Andy and Mrs Debbie Smith, Mr Glyn and Mrs Trish Jose (Michael Jose and Sally Jose), Mrs Mel Sandercock (Jayne and Neil), Mr Simon and Mrs Shirley Dell, Mrs Jill Duke, Mrs Sandra McConnell, Mrs Sarah McDonnell, Mr Mike and Mrs Lin French (Ben, Tom and Abby), Miss Maria Daniel (Kevin and Sally Daniel), Miss Sophie Aldis, Mrs Catherine Thorneycroft, Mr Andrew Statton, Miss Kerry Holland, Mrs Tania Holland, Mr Ray and Mrs Shirley Curtis, Miss Ria Tilley, Miss Rosie Coker, Master Theo Coker, Mrs Jo Maudsley, Mrs Wendy Mason (Sarah-Jayne and Karen Mason), Mrs Naomi Thomas, Mrs Amber Spry, Mr Paul and Mrs Eileen Reynolds, Mrs Sally Julian (Family), Mrs Margaret Stephens, Ms Sandra Easterbrook, Mrs Sarah Turvey, Mrs Charlotte Yates, Mrs Louise Paton (Ali Wareham, Claire Rice and Sarah Short,) Mrs Sharon Herzog, Mrs Suzanne Cogdell, Mr John and Mrs Jane Mills, Mr Nigel and Mrs Joanne Pethick, Mr Charlie and Mrs Margaret Reynolds (Family), Mrs Emma Betts, Mrs Jill Vague, Ms Tamsin Spong, Mr Norman Cowling (Mr R Cowling and Mrs J Cowling), Mrs Emily Hayden, Mrs Nancy Cornish, Mr Joe and Mrs Mary Casey, Master Isaiah Casey, Miss Rowen Casey, Miss Molly Casey, Miss Edie Casey, Master Simeon Casey, Mrs Deb Henderson, Mrs Julie Colwill, Mrs Jackie Smith, Mr John Uglow (Mrs Helen Uglow), Mrs Demelza Sayers, Mr John and Mrs Amanda Batten, Miss Daisy Batten, Miss Rosie Batten, Mr Eliot Astles, Mrs Bea Porup, Mr Ian and Mrs Sally Winslade, Mrs Denise Purchase, Mr Clifford and Mrs Celia Knight, Mr Matt Edwards, Ms Sandra Edwards, Mrs Jo Knott, Mrs Della Nash, Mrs Helen Hepburn, Mr James Gerry, Mrs Teddie Trump, Mrs Lucy Ponting, Miss Claire Banbury, Miss Vicky Marwood, Mrs Margarita Chapman, Mr Henry Williams, Mrs Charlotte Thomas, Miss Bonnie Ali.

Donations collected for ‘Penhaligon’s Friends’ and ‘Barnardo’s Cornwall Safer Futures’ have so far reached £1,312 but donations can still be given if desired c/o The Arthur W. Bryant Funeral Service, 15 Church Street, Launceston, PL15 8AW.