Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Rachel Streit Obituary
She was born in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to Lois Blackburn Streit and Dr. John Streit.
After graduating from Saratoga Springs High School, she attended the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and graduated from University of Vermont. Rachel was valedictorian of her class at New York Chiropractic College. She completed her clinical internship at the Seneca Falls Health Center, interned at Monroe Community Hospital and Mercy Outreach Center in Rochester, N.Y.
Rachel was a chiropractor in private practice in Portland and was on the faculty of Kaplan University. Prior to becoming a doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Streit was the editor-in-chief of the award-winning consumer health magazine, Natural Health, in Boston. She was also an editor at Harvard Medical School, did editorial consulting work for the Tuft's Nutrition Health Letter, and wrote health and wellness articles for national magazines.
She is survived by her mother, Lois Blackburn Streit of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; her father, Dr. John H. Streit and his wife Diane (Wilson) of Greenfield Center, N.Y.; sisters Robin Streit and her husband Andy Eccles of Cambridge, Mass., Sara Drozdowski and her husband Rob of Washington, D.C., and Betsy Streit Spensieri of Newton, Mass.; and nieces and nephews Peter, Henry and Charlotte Eccles, Benjamin and Nina Spensieri, and Jacob and Zachary Drozdowski. She also leaves aunts, uncles, cousins, many loving friends, and her beloved dog, Max.
Rachel was a member of the Peoples United Church of South Portland. She was a member of the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the Maine Chiropractic Association, and a past president and former member of the Portland Chapter of Business Network International. She regularly volunteered for Kids First of Portland.
Rachel loved to study and learn, to help others, was an avid golfer, skier and tennis player, and enjoyed boating, cooking and being with friends and family.
The family would like to thank the Gosnell House and all of their staff for the excellent care they provided to Rachel and her family.
A memorial service will be held at the Peoples United Methodist Church, 310 Broadway, South Portland, on Saturday, April 30, at 10 a.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
June 8, 2018
I only spoke to Rachel when she was the editor of Natural Health. I was impressed with her dedication, knowledge and most importantly friendliness.
A great loss.
Paul Weinberg
Dan Gatto
May 3, 2017
Ray was like a big sister to me. The 3+ years we spent together at NYCC were like a big family of brothers and sisters who loved and supported each other. We also harassed and joked around too, but there was a real love there. I will always cherish those years we spent together and will truly miss my dear sister ! My thoughts and prayers go out to Mitch and the rest of the family.
Meg McCann-Frodey
May 15, 2016
Sara and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Emily Gutchell
May 9, 2016
I was very sad to learn of Rachel's death yesterday. My condolences and sympathies, dear Sara, to you and your whole family. I remember Rachel fondly.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Deb Mead
May 7, 2016
I am so sorry for your family's loss. I was a Kaplan student of Rachel's and just learned of her passing tonight at our pinning ceremony. We are all still in shock. She was a wonderful teacher and definitely a favorite of many of us as we had her for multiple semesters. She made us want to learn and it was a pleasure to be in her class. She will be greatly missed ❤
Megan Garand
April 30, 2016
My condolences to all of Rachel's family, friends and our community. Rachel was more than my chiropractor for ten years. She was a friend, teacher, therapist and mentor. A healer in all aspects of life. I feel blessed for having known her. In our ten years we had numerous discussions about the afterlife and I know she is happy where she is, but I sure do miss her here. Thank you for continuing your healing even in your passing and for sending signs of beauty. I will never forget you or your lessons - until we meet again in heaven my beautiful friend.
parivash Rohani
April 12, 2016
My condolences to the family.I hope you like this quote as much as like it.
To consider that after the death of the body the spirit perishes, is like imagining that a bird in a cage will be destroyed if the cage is broken, though the bird has nothing to fear from the destruction of the cage. Our body is like the cage, and the spirit is like the birdif the cage becomes broken, the bird will continue and exist. Its feelings will be even more powerful, its perceptions greater, and its happiness increasedwww.bahai.org
J. Gaudet
April 11, 2016
I knew Rachel ever so briefly as a patient when she had her office in Falmouth and later as a business colleague. Rachel was kind and thoughtful and brought sunshine to wherever she was. She will be missed. Rachel and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.
April 11, 2016
I met Rachel at Betsy's house a few years back. I love her sense of humor: dry, witty and she told stories in a way that I was sure I was there at the real time it happened. I saw her fall in love with Max her dog which Betsy introduced them both after fostering for a short home stay. I feel I know her through her stories and her family and friends stories.
I hold you in my heart Betsy and family. I am sorry for your loss.
Laura
Sarah Kotzur
April 9, 2016
Sending lots of love and good wishes to Rachels's family at this difficult time. Rachel and I started practicing at the same time and would celebrate together each year. I feel blessed to have known her. She was a bright light in the world. God bless.
Sarah Thompson
April 7, 2016
Rachel was a very kind person and one you could just talk away with. Although my daughter and I only new Rachel for the last year it felt as though we had known her forever. I'm so sorry that such an amazing person left so soon. We will miss her greatly.
Gayle Allen
April 7, 2016
To the family of Rachel,
Our sincere condolences re: the passing of Rachel. Paul and I met her during her visits to Saratoga, NY and through her Aunt Edna Shakow. She was a wonderful person.
"Like a song that remains in the heart when the music is playing no more,
Like a fragrance that stays in the air where a flower has blossomed before,
Like a star that continues to glow long after the breaking of dawn, the ones we have loved remain with is still, and the beautiful memories go on."
Gary Rhodes
April 7, 2016
Betsy I'm so sorry for your loss, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Nanci Streit
April 7, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss..And sorry I never got the chance to meet Rachel. Her energy seemed to be one of such great strength, and as such I am sure her energy force will continue on. Many blessings to help your family heal through this time.
~Nanci Streit-Rohmer, daughter of Arthur and Barbara Streit
Richard Anderson
April 7, 2016
I am so very sorry for your loss. cousin Richard Anderson
Kevin Drozdowski
April 7, 2016
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family and friends as well.
P K Dave
April 6, 2016
Rachel is one of the kindest, intelligent person I know. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers.
Ann Lamoreaux Fantauzzi
April 6, 2016
I was Rachel's teacher at Caroline St school in Saratoga many years ago. I am so sad to learn we have lost such a scholar, healer, and humanitarian. My condolences to her family and friends.
JoAnn Hughes
April 6, 2016
Dr. John, I didn't know Rachel but know the pain of losing a child in her prime. Words cannot ease the pain or fill that special spot in your life but prayers are sent that good memories will help. I remember when you delivered my 4th daughter we joked about you having 4. Now we share the bond of losing a beautiful daughter - God comfort you in your sad time.
Patti (Kiszka) Metsch
April 5, 2016
My deepest condolences to Rachel's family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
DR. HEIDI Arnold-Burr
April 5, 2016
Ray, you are an amazing woman and someone who always had a smile on your face. You will be missed. May the sun RAYS fill our sadden hearts knowing you are at peace.
Jason keosaian
April 5, 2016
To Rachels family, I pray to ease your pain.For Rachel I pray for your happiness.To be with our maker is a blessing not a punishment.May all your work not go unnoticed and the people you touched know you forever.God bless you and your family.you will be missed.
Alan W. Campbell
April 5, 2016
Rest in peace Rachel, great memories of you in Saratoga Springs, back in 1989. God bless her family.
Ron and Lorraine Stotts
April 5, 2016
Our sympathy and prayers to all of Rachel's family/friends. An amazing young woman that will be missed. We remember her well when she attended our son/daughter-in-law's wedding....good memories. Please know we share in your loss.
Mark Garand
April 5, 2016
We have lost a marvelous human being. She always made me want to be a better person. Her Caring nature and great sense of humor was unmatched by anyone. RIP Dr. Streit
Diane Smith
April 5, 2016
She sounds amazing and her contributions surely have made the world a better place.
Karen Rich
April 5, 2016
My deepest sympathies to Rachel's family and friends. I was shocked and saddened when I heard of her passing. I was a member of the same BNI group when she served as its President. I helped her find her office in Portland when she relocated from Falmouth and so enjoyed working with her. She was a delightful woman and a terrific Dr. and teacher. She had so many different interests which made her so easy to talk to and be around, whether it was golf or tennis or so many other activities that she excelled at. I know she will be missed by so many.
Debbie Keenan
April 4, 2016
I am shocked and saddened to hear the news. I lived across the hall from Rachel at Syracuse. She had an amazing way of looking at life. We had many great times together and I will always remember our friendship. My deepest condolences to her family.
Jan Robinson
April 4, 2016
I have been a patient of Rachel's for this past year. Not only was she a fantastic Dr, but she was a genuinely great human. I enjoyed her humor and loved visiting Max as well. I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing. My heart goes out to her family and lved ones. She will be missed by all who's lives she touched.
Margi
April 4, 2016
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Dr. Streit's passing. She was a miracle worker chiropractor and we loved sharing our horse experiences, especially when it came to race horses.
Michelle Donovan
April 4, 2016
I was a patient of Dr. Streit's for years, I will always remember her for her laugh and her kindness, seeing her and Max always made you smile. She will be truly missed by all who had the privilege to know her. The world has lost a great woman. My heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends and clients.
Rober Mucci
April 4, 2016
They do not come better than Rachel.
A smart, funny, talented, beautiful person.
Who knew more about football than I did. And liked to bet on horse racing.
Peace...
Susan Fekety
April 4, 2016
There are hardly words so express my sadness here. What a shining light she was; a dear friend and a gifted healer. Plus such a huge heart, and so smart! A remarkable woman in every respect. I will miss her mightily.
Laurie Boyce
April 4, 2016
My deepest sympathies go out to the Streit family. My heart is filled with sorrow upon hearing the news about Rachel. I went to Saratoga and remember Rachel fondly as kind and warm, she always had a smile and brought light to any situation. I enjoyed staying in touch on Facebook over the past few years. She will be truly missed but never forgotten.
April 4, 2016
I am completely floored. I was a patient of Dr. Streit for years, and considered her a friend as well as a caregiver. My condolences to the family.
Showing 1 - 37 of 37 results
Make a Donation
in Rachel Streit's name
How to support Rachel's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Rachel Streit's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
