Rachael Lee Bauckham
January 14, 1993 – December 5, 2023
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Rey of Sunshine’s birthday, January 14, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 W. Milham Road, Portage. There will be a dessert reception following the service. You will also have the opportunity to videotape or write down a short memory of Rey for her family to treasure. Memorial donations can be made to Special Olympics of Michigan or Centrica Care.
Obituary
As of December 5, 2023, Heaven is a bit brighter as Rachael Lee Bauckham, our “Rey” of Sunshine, is now shining with The Son. Despite her lengthy and difficult battle with Parkinsonism, Rey continued to share her lifelong gift of spreading sunshine to her friends and family to the very end. Many of life’s blessings that made Rey shine with joy included Special Olympics, Circle of Friends, music therapy, Zumba classes, performing with Kalamazoo Kids on Stage, dancing and singing, giving speeches of love, eating her favorite foods, being silly with her nephews, and spending time with those she loved. We are so grateful for the amazing care our family received through Centrica Care. Rey’s nurses became part of our family for almost three years, and enabled Rey to enjoy a quality of life for much longer than originally anticipated. We will sorely miss Rey’s bright smile and rays of love, but will always carry her sunshine in our hearts.
Rey is survived by Rob and Lynda Bauckham (her parents), Brian and Jessica Wilmarth (her brother-in-law and sister), Micah and Levi Wilmarth (her nephews), aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.
So sorry for your loss…your card got here hours before Cliff texted me with the sad news..our hearts are with you in this painful period…….love. Cliff and Kim.
Rob and Lynda, I’m so very sorry for your Loss. From your old neighbors, the Johnsons
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Rachael. I was honored to have met her and to have worked with your amazing family in Re’s final years. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Respectfully, Jim
Rob, Lynda, Jessica, and Peggy, My heart breaks for all of you and all of your family, as you grieve the loss of your dear, Rachael. She was so blessed to have such a devoted, nurturing, loving family! I will always remember my times with her, when she was a loved student in my classroom. Now she is relieved of all suffering and home with our Loving Father. May God’s Grace and Love surround you all during this very difficult time.
I am blessed to have known Rachael and had her as a student. She brightened each and every day and absolutely glowed with her love of music. My heart aches for your loss, and send my deepest consolation to you and all who loved Rey.