R.I.P. Rachel

I knew her since I was born. She played dolls with me, and we swam together, and she always had an amazing imagination.

It seems like I just went to visit her in the hospital, although the truth is it was months ago. She knew that she was dying, and she wrote her own obituary.

My dad's best friend's daughter Rachel passed away last Monday. I'll miss her presence and her spirit.



Hitch, Rachel Meredith
MADISON
Rachel Meredith Hitch, 41, of Madison, died May 5, 2008, at Meriter Hospital after a long illness.

Rachel was born Jan. 2, 1967, in Ypsilanti, Mich. with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition often called "brittle bones." This presented challenges for Rachel, but she managed to live an exceptional life in the face of these challenges.

From an early age she learned how to live in an environment that was natural for Rachel though she endured many broken bones. Her family moved to Madison in 1971, and Rachel was schooled at Lapham Elementary School, and was the poster child for Easter Seals in 1976. She graduated from Memorial High School in 1985. Rachel had a role in the school play her senior year performing with a fracture (It was a bad joke to tell Rachel to "break a leg").

She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin and was a guest lecturer in the Women Studies programs. She advised the university on a task force to help bring more accessibility to the Madison campus. Rachel was a talented writer and published author of children's stories. She studied American Sign Language and used this skill to aid parent-teacher communications.

During and after college, Rachel lived on her own, usually in downtown Madison where she could be close to State Street and her favorite coffee shops. She moved to San Francisco for a time, but returned to Madison for health reasons. Rachel loved to travel and accompanied her father on many trips to Asia and Europe. She learned a great deal about accessibility in the world's business centers.

Rachel is survived by her father, Lawrence J. Hitch of Madison; and her mother, Sandra L. Christensen (and James L. Christensen) of Madison. She is survived by her brother. Lawrence J. Hitch Jr. (and Lisa Petros) of Madison; her sister, Hilary A. Christensen (and David T. Peng) of Middleton; and her brother, Lee J. Christensen (and Laura Richards) of Madison. Also, she is survived by her nephews, Damian Petros of Madison and Theron and Brannic Peng of Middleton.

We will all miss Rachel deeply, as will her countless friends here in the Madison area, San Francisco, and other parts of the country. We wish to extend our thanks to Dr. Bernard Micke, who was Rachel's doctor, friend, and confidant for more than 30 years, and to the staff at Meriter that became well acquainted with her over the last few years, and provided her with such wonderful care. We are also grateful to Rachel's many caretakers.

A Celebration of Life memorial is planned for June 1, 2008, at RENNEBOHM PARK, 115 N. Eau Claire Ave., Madison, starting at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made in Rachel's name to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, PO Box 630342, Baltimore, MD 21263-0342.

Rachel had a favorite saying that we think says so much about her - "Magic Happens."