Rachel Jeniski

The Funeral Service for Rachel Jeniski will be available for live-streaming at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 29th via the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6060905005 .

OXFORD - It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our youngest daughter, Rachel, on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. Rachie was the light of our family’s life. She will be loved and missed forever by her family and friends, especially by her mother and father, Tamar and John Jeniski of Oxford, MA; her older twin siblings, Mikey and Chloe, and Harley, our dog; her Nonni, Josie Jeniski of Shrewsbury, MA; her Savta and Papa, Hadassah and Bob Sokol of Phoenix, AZ; Nana and Pop Shahnarian of Oxford, MA; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Harley was the light of Rachie’s life. He gave her strength and happiness. He greeted her every morning with his wagging tail and sloppy, wet kisses, which always brought a smile to her face. Harley was with Rachie until the very end. In addition to Harley, Rachie also found comfort in her music, which was a big part of her life. Whether she was sitting next to mom in the car on the way to school every morning with her headphones on, or auxing for anyone she drove with, or making special playlists for any occasion, music soothed her. Rachie also found solace in drawing and making bracelets.

As a young child, Rachie loved gymnastics and would watch endless videos to learn new moves and would practice her routines outside on our trampoline in Boylston and in our back yard in Oxford.

In her later years, Rachie started playing volleyball at Notre Dame Academy and found joy in her teammates and the game. She also loved to dance. Just this past week, while Mikey and Chloe were home on spring break, they had a dance party together with Rachie in our living room. This was one of their favorite things to do together. Rachie also enjoyed spending many hours in our game room, especially during COVID, where she would play video games and watch movies with her siblings and friends. It was a comforting space for her away from her bedroom.

Even though Rachie was shy and hesitant to speak to strangers, she bravely took a job last summer alongside Chloe as a caddy at Worcester Country Club. Chloe would drive the two of them to work in the early morning hours, and Rachie would listen to her favorite music with the windows rolled down, since the car lacked AC. Chloe loved having this time with Rachel and was proud of how hard she worked as she taught Rachie the finer points of earning big tips.

Rachie loved watching the Bruins on TV. and attended a number of games with her dad and siblings. She would often dress up in her favorite player’s, Brad Marchand’s, #63 jersey and a Bruins hat to prepare for a game in person or a big Stanley Cup game in 2018. Rachie especially enjoyed the game Chloe took her to last year, during winter break.

Rachie loved junk food- anything you can imagine, especially hamburgers (hold the pickles), french fries, waffles, chips and salsa. She especially loved baked ziti and lasagna and would always request these from mom. Her Nonni cooked anything she wanted, often making her delicious meatloaf and pizza. Rachel’s Nonni was a huge part of her life, picking her up from school every day, taking care of her when she was sick, bringing her on special shopping trips, and even teaching her to play the piano.

Our Rachel was born with an old soul, and she carried many of society’s hardships on her young shoulders. She loved passionately, deeply, and unconditionally and always wanted to help her friends. It was so important to her to be there when her friends needed her.

Mikey and Chloe were Rachel’s rocks. She relied heavily on them and missed them terribly when they left for college. Rachie texted Chloe daily, letting her know how much she missed her and always asked when Chloe and Mikey would be coming home. Rachie loved to watch Scooby Doo with her siblings, especially on long car rides to the beach in North Carolina and Maine. They would also all work on making friendship bracelets for each other in the car. Rachie was the center of her siblings’ universe and she will be greatly missed by them.

Rachel filled her parents’ world as well. She had a special bond with Dad from the beginning, spending countless hours just being with Dad doing anything. She especially loved watching war movies and playing Call of Duty with Dad, almost never letting him win. Rachel played for Griffin Youth Hockey in Pomfret, CT for years following in her big sibling's footsteps. Rachie loved swimming at the beach and in the pond across from our home where she often fished with Mikey. Many everlasting family memories of Rachie were forged on the beaches of the Outer Banks where she loved to ride the waves with Chloe and hunt for crabs with Mikey and Harley. Harley is the best crab hunter!

Rachel has been our gift and we will forever treasure the 17 years we had with her. She was born with an innate happiness that brightened her entire face and was so clearly visible in her smile, which touched everyone she came into contact with. We hope a part of her bright spirit will live on in all those who knew her.

Rachie filled our lives with so much color. We request that to celebrate Rachie’s life and honor her spirit, you select your favorite color to wear should you attend the services. Rachie’s favorite color was red.

In the Jewish tradition, Rachel’s funeral service will take place this Friday, March 29th, at 11:00 a.m. at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden, MA. A private burial will immediately follow. Family and friends will gather for Shiva at the family’s home, Saturday, March 30th, from 4:00-7:00.

In lieu of flowers, any donations in Rachel’s name would be greatly appreciated at Hope Lives Here - https://www.hlhgrief.org , or St. John's High School - www.stjohnshigh.org/support/make-a-gift .