Obituary of Rachelle M Amira

Rachelle Marie Amira, age 46, passed away on November 18th at Weill Cornell Hospital in New York after a long and difficult fight with cancer. She leaves behind her two sons, Frank and Michael, her daughter, Alexis, and partner, Frank Maro. 

Rachelle was born into a big family in Mount Pleasant, MI on November 25th, 1970, with twin sister, Renee, to Carroll (née Moran) and Theodore Longnecker. She attended Springstead High School in Spring Hill, FL. After many years later, the birth of her beautiful daughter in 1992, and a divorce, she met Frank Maro on a work trip in Lyon, France in 2002. They welcomed two boys into their lives, Frank and Michael, and settled their family in Rye, NY. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma at the age of 39. She was initially given 3 years to live and, while the odds were discouraging, she fought a courageous battle with courage and grace for more than 7 years.

Besides the love for her family, art was her life. She was known for her beautiful artwork and refurbished furniture. Rachelle was art educated. Art has always been her passion, her career path and her overall lifestyle. We’re so grateful that her artwork can be a beautiful reminder of the love and light Rachelle brought to everyone that met her.

To know her was to love her. She was an artist with a bohemian vibe, always smiling. You could find her on any given night posted up at a canvas, paint brush in hand, singing along to Bob Marley and snacking on sunflower seeds. Anyone that met her could attest to her strength and resilience through the years. She greeted every treatment with a smile and every set back was an inspiration to live longer. She never considered the fact that death was a possibility. Every day was a new chance to beat this disease. Rachelle was an inspiration to everyone she came across. She taught us all to make the most of the present moment and to smile through the hard times.

She is survived by brothers - Randy, John, Teddy, Steven, Daniel, Gerald, and Timothy - and sisters, Renee, Julie, Linda, and Lynette. 
 
A celebration of Rachelle Amira's life will take place on Wednesday, November 22, at 10am at Rye Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. Flower donations can be sent directly to Rye Prebyterian Church 882 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580.  To help the family, donations can be made to the Family Fund set up on You Caring, www.youcaring.com/rachelleamira-1015816