Rachael Elizabeth Maughan
May 23, 2003 ~
December 26, 2021
Rachael Elizabeth Maughan was born in Phoenix, Arizona on May 23, 2003 and died on December 26, 2021. She was strong, tenacious, brave, and smart. She spent her early childhood in Phoenix and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah when she was six. Rachael graduated from Highland High School in 2021 where she expanded her love of language and writing as part of the journalism team. She began college at the University of Utah and has just completed her first semester.
Rachael always had a book with her. She read all the time. Her vocabulary was second to none, and when she heard a word she didn’t understand, she wrote it down for research later. She was a pesky logophile (check it out!). Rachael made beautiful collages that covered her room, her notebooks, and even her water bottles. She was wonderfully cheeky and stubborn. She was the best secret warden. She gave the best advice and was very loyal.
Rachael was born and died of a rare, progressive disease called Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. She was also thrown a curveball at the age of seventeen due to a diagnosis of epilepsy. She made the best of every moment. She mastered challenges with serenity and grace. Rachael loved art, plays, and poetry. She enjoyed riding bikes with her dad, teasing her sisters, and doing everything with her mom.
Rachael leaves behind her parents Peter and Amanda, their two sisters Shannon (21) and Emily (14), their service dog Buttercup and many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. She was also blessed with a third sister in Grace Willmarth and by her most loyal friends Elliot and Greta Hess. She was worshiped by many and we will miss her very much.
Her family would like to thank Jolley’s Pharmacy, the wheelchair division of Shriners Hospital, Dr. Russell Butterfield, Dr. Peter Lindgren, Dr. John Heflin, Dr. Jacques D’Astous and especially Dr. Natalie Darro for the excellent care and the comfort offered to Rachael.
Rachael campaigned for accessibility and rights for disabled people. As you wish to honor their memory, please be aware of the issues affecting the disabled community and advocate for improvements. Instead of a church service, please take a day to remember Rachael and do something you love.
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from December 30, 2021 to January 8, 2022.
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