Rachel Marie CAPANNA

CAPANNA, Rachel Marie (Barnard) April 11, 1979 - July 23, 1997 Today is the eave of the Twentieth anniversary of her death. I have spent a great deal of the weekend reading letters, looking at photos, refreshing memories. One thing I have learned is that the death of a child even after 20 years, is not something you ever get past. It is impossible to keep my eyes dry as I reflect on the memories. As I said five years ago, I thank God that there are so many memories. Rachel was one of a kind. She was so good with her younger brother and sisters that they still think of her as a guiding light. My youngest daughter who was only three at the time of Rachel's death, still remembers their relationship as if it was yesterday. An acquaintance of mine, who is a prominent member of the legal community reminded me of an incident he witnessed where Rachel aggressively defended his daughter from being teased by "the bully kids". He said he has never forgotten and will always remember Rachel. The girls were seven or eight years old at the time. Rachel was incredibly good at her age. She loved and was good with horses. She could ski better than most kids her age. She loved and helped take care of her sisters and brother. It's been 20 years now and will never stop remembering, we will never stop loving, we will never stop missing Rachel Marie Steve Barnard