Cecilia E. "Betty" Rahill, 87, departed this life on Friday, December 8, 2017 in Fern Park, FL. She was born in Rockville Centre, NY on February 10, 1930 to the late Edward K. and Rachel Ridder Hanlon.
Cecilia will be remembered as a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She leaves memories to be cherished to her beloved husband, James Rahill; her children, Vicki Wright-Osment, Penny S. Gunn, Stephen Saunders, Robert Saunders; step-children, Pete Rahill, Paul Rahill, Mike Rahill, Marybeth Bridges, and James Rahill; 23 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. She will be deeply missed, and forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be held from 5PM-7PM on December 18th at DeGusipe Funeral Home, Maitland, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30PM on December 19th at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Parrish, 861 Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Cecilia to: St.Jude's Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101.
John 14:1-4 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going."
As I am reflecting on the life of God's beloved....Cecelia Elizabeth...Betty...Wife...Mother...Mom...Nana...Grandma Betty - this verse in the Bible came to mind about how Jesus goes and prepares a place in the Father's house in heaven for all those who believe in God and Him.
I know she believed in God and Jesus!
One of the ways Betty expressed her love for us is by preparing her home for our special celebrations - she was our "Martha Stewart"-loving to decorate, preparing wonderful meals, setting a beautiful table, truly enjoying spending time with each and everyone of us and making us feel special. Now I'm imagining her in heaven where she is receiving all God's marvelous provisions that have been prepared just for her. Blessed to realize how Betty reflected God's love and gave us a glimpse of heaven in her love and preparations for us.
We all know how much she loved serving in her church as a greeter. Imagine how special anyone would have felt being greeted by her vivacious spirit and what an amazing prelude to readying oneself to go in a worship the Lord!!
Now she's had a indescribable welcoming by Christ when her spirit arrived in heaven. No more pain or suffering-only joy & vivaciousness restored in worshiping the Lord in glorious heaven!!
Betty loved traveling!! Besides the family, it was her passion. She treasured every aspect of it - planning, packing, journeying, touring, shopping, dining, preparing the photo albums, and telling us the adventures of her latest travels. What comfort it is to be assured that she just took the most spectacular journey to heaven-to a perfect, magnificent place Jesus has prepared just for her!!!
Thankful God is revealed to me through her love and life.
Blessed by having you as family to grieve and celebrate her life.
Her passing is definitely bittersweet. Thankful she is released from the bondage of her failing earthly body and in the most glorious place. Miss her terribly cause she was a fabulous "Mom"!
Love you all and praying for each and every one of you and your processing of her impact on your lives and the tremendous loss of physically not having her here. Thankful it's temporary until we all are united eternally in heaven by our belief in God and Christ!
Love you...Marcia