Rachel Persico-Shammas

Rachel is still in my heart. Her warmth, her smile, and positivity are very much with me. May these words help bring some of these memories to more people who miss her. aya

Dear Persico-Shammas family,
My husband and I met Rachel in 1996 on the first day we landed in the Ann Arbor campus. It was such a sweet moment. I believe that the International Center was one of the first places in campus we visited, having just landed from Israel a day or so prior. We could never hoped for a nicer welcome, and finding a fellow Israeli was such a necessary connection to home. We felt it was pure luck to bump into Rachel, her helpful heart and practical sense.
From...

Anton, Nadeem and Alia,
Panos let me know that Rachel passed away. We had lost touch but she was forever in my heart. We shared some wonderful moments in London at Film School. It's a sad discovery and all my sympathies go to you. I'm glad she was part of my life.

I just learned the sad news. I hadn't seen Rachel for twenty years. We met when we were both of us foreign students in London. She was young, intelligent, beautiful, she was full of passion for life, for social justice, for cinema. We teamed up in the film school. We were learning, making films, discovering the world. I learned from her. I always hoped to see her again. I missed her and I will miss her. All my sympathies to her children and husband. She was a Great Lady.

The news of Rachel's passing away came as a complete shock to me. I was unaware of her courageous battle in trying to overcome her ill-health, but that was Rachel-- a wonderful, caring, understanding, and very cheerful person and it showed through her every interaction. Rachel was a source of strength to many students; her guidance and support during my years at the UM went far in helping me navigate the challenging times as an international/grad student. I pray for Rachel and for her family,...

They say! it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them. Rachel was my special person.
Dorothy

She was so nice, warm and friendly; she generously helped us many times.Our deepest sympathy for Rachel’s family.

Rachel was my family's lifesaver. We are so hurt to hear this news. We would share our deep condolence with her family in this lost. We believe she rests in peace now with no pain. Good memories of her will help her family to overcome this sorrow.
Tran - Nguyen family.

Hearing that Rachel died was one of the wost surreal moments of my life, and a moment I will never forget. But what will certainly retain a much more prominent placement in my memory will be all the good times I had with the whole family. I know it was been very hard on all of you, but you're all taking this very well. I wish you all the best. Rachel was a very prominent figure, and contributed endlessly to those who knew her,and she will be sorely missed by many. Wherever she is now, she has...