Rachel M. Loftin

HALIFAX -- Rachel Marie (Cormier) Loftin, 57, died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, November 18 after a valiant battle against Stage IV Colon Cancer. She was the loving spouse of Stephen Loftin. This past February, they celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary.

Born in New Bedford, Rachel graduated from St. Anthony High School and attended SMTI (now UMASS) in Dartmouth, MA. She graduated from Wentworth Institute with an AD in Mechanical Engineering. She retired from Gillette CO.'s Papermate Research and Development Lab in South Boston after 25 years of dedicated service as a senior chemist. She was recognized for developing 18 of the Company's ink formulation patents. Most recently she worked for Greeley's Oil Company of Halifax, retiring in 2003 due to illness.

Rachel was at her happiest camping and riding a Harley Davidson with her husband Steve. She found great pleasure basking in the sun at her summer residence; vacationing in the Florida Keys; soaking in her hot tub; playing with her beloved dogs, Robert Smith and Holly; cheering on the Red Sox and the Dallas Cowboys; listening to The Cure; deciding on her next tattoo, and solving crosswords and jumbles.

She was a gifted artist and writer and could create impressive Halloween costumes without a pattern. An outstanding cook, she loved hosting summer cookouts and lobster bakes. This past summer, she participated at New Bedford's Relay For Life and was honored at the Pan Mass Challenge in Provincetown when her team presented her with a framed cyclist shirt signed by Lance Armstrong.

Rachel was the daughter of the late Aurele J. and Glorianna (Roy) Cormier of New Bedford and Halifax. In addition to her husband, she leaves a sister, Claudia and her husband Nelson Ostiguy; a brother, Marc Cormier and his wife Anne, all of New Bedford; a step-daughter, Jennifer (Loftin) and her husband Neil Casswell and their two daughters, Alicia and Stephanie, of Canton, MA; a stepson, Matthew Loftin and his wife Pricilla of Raynham. MA and their two children, Joshua and Moira; three nephews: Benjamin Ostiguy and his wife. Carol (Finneran) and their daughter Emma, of Northampton, MA, Zachary Ostiguy of Yuma. AZ and Nathan Cormier of New Bedford; two nieces: Amanda (Cormier) Vicente and her husband John, and their sons, Noah and Jacob, of New Bedford; Alexandra Cormier of Somerset, MA; two brothers in law: Ronald Loftin and Robert Loftin; a maternal uncle: Normand Roy and his wife, Claire of FL, and many caring cousins and dear friends.

Rachel will be remembered for her common sense thinking, honesty and unconditional love for all she met.

A Memorial Service to honor her life will take place on Wednesday, November 29th, 2:00 PM at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Hanson, MA. Family and Friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Jimmy Fund in its passion to help eradicate cancer.