Rachael Mayo

Rachael Lynn MayoNov. 15, 1983 - March 1, 2003"O Goddess, there is great sadness. Our beloved Rachael has gone. Emptiness engulfs us. Loss languishes within us to bear this grief. Accompany Rachael's spirit and comfort those of us who grieve. Let us never forget Rachael's splendid spirit and rejoice in her life."Rachael Lynn Mayo, 19, a bright, feisty, talented and beautiful young woman, whom we loved very much, died Saturday morning, March 1, at Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis from complications of a stem cell transplant following a recurrence of her Hodgkins cancer. She died peacefully and in little pain.Rachael was born Nov. 15, 1983, in La Crosse, Wis., to Fred and Kathie (Rataj) Mayo. Rachael was a 2002 honor graduate of Winona Senior High School. She had qualities and talents many people admired. She had great passion for her artwork, passion for writing, passion for learning and a unique wit and sense of humor. She was so looking forward to pursuing a degree in art and anthropology at Cornell College. Her strong moral convictions guided all aspects of her life; she never succumbed to contrary pressures, pervasive though they might have been. She always remained true to self. Some people are too wonderful for this world and we only get to experience their love for a short time. Remember her and smile. "But O for the touch of vanished hand, and the sound of a voice that is still!"Rachael requested her family, friends, teachers and neighbors share their special thoughts and memories of her, toast her life, wonder at her art, sing and listen to the music she loved. Beethoven's "Ninth" was one of her favorites, as was Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon". The celebration of Rachael's life will be held at the Mayo home (251 Valley Oaks Drive) on Saturday, March 8, from 2 to 6 p.m. It was Rachael's request that she be cremated and her cremains will be carried by loved ones wherever they travel.Rachael is survived by her parents, Fred and Kathie Mayo; her great-aunt, Stephanie Maibusch; her aunt, Pat Rataj-Frawley; her loving cousin, Ross; aunts and uncles, Bob and Marlene Auman, William and Patricia Mayo; and her special friend, Michael Wilkes.Rachael was preceded in death by her sister, Jessica; and her grandparents, Henry and Armella Rataj, and William and Dorothy Mayo.Rachael loved, trusted and held her special animal friends close to her heart. Her family requests donations in Rachael's name be made to the Winona Humane Society in lieu of flowers.All who knew and loved Rachael are invited to visit caringbridge.org/mn/rachaelmayo Web site.