Comments on: Rachel Blum

By: lxbarriere

lxbarriere — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:29:39 +0000

Miss you, dear friend

By: wendyponte

wendyponte — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 05:51:04 +0000

This photo was taken in the summer of 2014 in Rachel’s garden when I (center) visited her, along with Diane Paxton (left). I first met both of them at Boston University, where we were all students in the theatrical design program. When I think about Rachel, I think of a woman with a completely unique blend of wonderful creativity and a practical matter-of-fact approach. She was easy to be with. One of the many things that I admire about Rachel was her going back to school to get a degree as a dietician. She worked so hard at it! On her first job she was sent to the Mayo Clinic to work for a month, and so I got to see her (I live in Minneapolis). I didn’t know that would be the last time that I would see her in person. I so regret that I won’t be able to visit her when I go out east for a visit. I never had the opportunity to meet you– her children, but she talked about both of you! I am so sorry that you had to lose her too soon.

By: sal

sal — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:09:34 +0000

Wonderful video, Sarah! I was lucky enough to participate in a number of these family cookie baking festivals, although I’m not sure I had the good fortune to be at one that Rachel was also at, although her spirit was definitely present. And although I am not a “blood” relative, having married into the family, I’m very proud to have my own copy of the terrific book “Cookies from Irene’s Kitchen,” which in addition to fabulous recipes for the cookies Irene baked has sweet (pun intended) tributes from her family. Rachel’s says that her mother used to send her “material love – edible treats in mysterious boxes.” And Rachel put out a great deal of “material love” with her cookies, and her quilts, and her gardens. And plenty of “spiritual love” as well.

By: lauraharbottle

lauraharbottle — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 19:15:37 +0000

So many memories involving Rachel. What a distinctive personality and wide range of interests she had. Her activism – she had just returned from the first cancer operation in Philly and had volunteered to canvas voters to support Beto O’Rourke, so off we went. Her deep love of all things family – she cultivated relationships with all of us who were her lucky relatives, drew us out to beaches near and far (my memories are of a wonderful day-long gathering at Duxbury Beach) and was the lively presence at family celebrations. Her exquisite artistry shining through her quilts, her knitting, her interesting and beautiful clothes. We shared a love of gardening, which was often a topic in long rambling conversations which would eventually cover politics, personal issues and anything and everything else. I have some of her iris, and we traded amaryllis plants back and forth. Her ease, her sharp wit, her graciousness as a hostess. Her positive and cheerful energy, seemingly effortless yet so dependable. Her fearlessness, leading her to offer support in difficult situations where others took flight, and of course to face her illness in a way that amazed me. Oh, Rachel, I will miss you so much.

By: sal

sal — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:51:00 +0000

By: sal

sal — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:50:55 +0000

By: sal

sal — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:49:58 +0000

By: sal

sal — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:49:11 +0000

By: eleagree

eleagree — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 22:10:55 +0000

Photo from Mark Ketcham in Fort Lauderdale

By: eleagree

eleagree — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 22:10:24 +0000

Photo from Mark Ketcham in Fort Lauderdale