DeMENT, Rachel Held, died August 31, 2008, after a year-long struggle with lung and brain cancer. Born October 5, 1968, in Washington, D.C., Rachel is survived by her husband, Steve; her sons, Jacob and Stephen; her daughters, Katherine and Alex; her brother, Gordon; her sisters, Mary-Anne, Jennifer, Sarah; and dear sister-in-law, Bonnie. Rachel had an endless number of friends and family that loved her dearly. I know few people that were cherished more than she. Rachel was a woman of deep faith and endless hopeshe fought hard until the very end. While I know she did not want to leave us, she is at peace and will continue to guide us all with her quiet strength. Her family would like to take this time to thank Debbie, Lisa, Kelley, Jen, and Julie. You, too, were like sisters. We would also like to thank Royall & Company, where Rachel was a Senior Project Manager, for their neverending support, generosity, and love for Rachel and her family. Kyle, of Heartland Hospice, thank you for your tears and prayers for Rachel and us. We will never forget you. God will bless you all. We hope that you will join us, Wednesday, September 3, to say goodbye and celebrate Rachel's life. Services will be held at noon at Woodlake United Methodist Church, 6601 Woodlake Village Pkwy., Midlothian, Va. 23112. Reception to follow. Burial will take place at Laurel Hill Memorial Park near Fredericksburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Virginia College Savings Plan, for the benefit of Jacob Sherman DeMent, Account # 10184574. Mail to Virginia Education Savings Trust, P.O. Box 759226 Baltimore, Md. 21275-9226. Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 10127 Plank Rd., Spotsylvania, is serving the Dement Family.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
