I have kept the sleeve from the Starbucks gift card from all of you in my wallet. There hasn’t been a day that has gone by where I have not prayed for your family and think about caring for Rachel. I am glad there is peace knowing she is rejoicing with our Heavenly Father! Praying for healing and peace for each of you. 

In Christ, 
Kelsea 

Dear John, Steve and Myrna,
My first memory of Rachel is when my sister called me to tell me she met her roommate and she was a little less nervous for move in day. I loved hearing the updates about college life, when I would FaceTime my sister to check in on her, I would always end up talking to Rachel and catching up as well. She naturally became  another little sister, my kids 3 & 7 at the time loved going up to CBU to visit the girls. Rachel was always kind to my Khloe, she just adored spending time with Rachel and Tia Beth. David also loved spending time with the girls but I think chatting it up with John was his favorite part of the visits. I remember the visit when Rachel told me about the day she met John, it was beautiful to watch your relationship grow and to be able to witness you Two become One. 

Through the years, Rachel has remained in our prayers, she has impacted so many lives, far more than she would have ever known. I’m thankful for her friendship with my sister Lichie (Luna), for loving her and supporting her, she was an amazing friend. We love your family dearly and our hearts are broken for you loss. 

Love,
The Avitia Family 
Kat, Jonathan, David & Khloe

Dear John, Steve, and Myrna,

You don’t know me, but I had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with precious Rachel. I hired Rachel in November 2021 as an Executive Assistant to my client Jenny. Rachel quickly made herself invaluable to our team. She was whip-smart and executed her role with such excellence and leadership that she’s been almost impossible to replace. It’s taken 3 other hires since July to find someone close to supporting us the way Rachel did. 

We were devastated for ourselves when she told us she needed to leave due to health issues, and then once I understood what was going on, my heart broke for her. Myrna, I also have a 28-year-old daughter, and the first question I asked Rachel when she told me about her cancer was, “How is your mom?” I cannot imagine how it has felt to walk this path with your beautiful daughter. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. 

Rachel and I never talked about our mutual faith, but I recognized the light of Jesus in her. I have thought of her so much over the past few months and prayed for her whenever she came to mind. This past weekend, on Saturday, I felt compelled to Google her name and saw her obituary. It took me a minute to realize what I was seeing and that Rachel had passed. I was stunned and heartbroken. However, the Lord gave me a gift. I quickly realized that her memorial service was being live-streamed in just 15 minutes! It meant so much to me to be a part of the service. Watching the video where she and John shared her testimony touched me deeply. What depth of faith she had. It meant the world to me to see her face, hear her voice again, and see her strength in Jesus. 

You all have a large community around you that shares your love of Rachel. I just wanted you to know that another person you don’t know also found your daughter incredible. I am devastated by your loss and pray that you and your family experience abundant grace and peace during this time of grief. 

Mary Nett 


Dear Steve and Myrna
We are broken hearted for your loss, Full of joy for the impact that Rachel and her life testamony has had on us. Our prayers and thoughts are for you. Love Kathy and Jim Van Noy

Dear Myrna and Steve McDonald, my deepest condolences on your loss. I do not know Rachel personally but I have had the opportunity to get acquainted with her parents, Myrna and Steve. Just by knowing them, I can tell what a strong, devoted and kind person Rachel must have been. It's truly inspiring to know that Rachel continued to shine for the Lord, helped those around her, graduated with honors and efficiently performed all her tasks while she was still battling Cancer. I pray that the divine peace of God that surpasses all knowledge will be with the bereaved family at this time.

Prayers and Love,
Joshly Johnson 

I’m so saddened by your loss Myrna and Steve. I wish I had words for this tragedy. May light and gods peace be with you. I recall Rachel and her little white poodle Sparkles on neighborhood jaunts. May love and serenity surround you.

Dear Myrna, Steve, John, and family,

We offer our deepest condolences for your family’s loss. Rachel was a beautiful girl we knew since she was young. Our family grew up with the McDonald family together in the same neighborhood. We celebrated many life occasions together and we will always treasure those memories. Rachel will always live on in our hearts.

Love,
The Yu Family 

We remember the unexpected and delightful times we got to spend together snowed in and “stuck” at Duane & Gail‘s house. We also remember summer travels with exchange student Inga visiting and all the kids hanging out together. And we remember visiting your family in your lovely, hospitable home in Fresno. 

We join you all in celebrating Rachel‘s beautiful life! Our hearts ache with yours in your grief and loss. We pray for you all, that God’s peace will be yours today and always.

With much love, Kirk and Yvonne Jones (Chloe, Tony, & Paola, Celina, Gracie)

We didn't know Rachel but we know Steve and Myrna and we had prayed for Rachel and the family from Robert and Pamlia and Marion Baker


One of the many memories we got to share in Rachel’s lifetime.

To my dear sister Myrna, brother-in-law Steve and John:
Our hearts ache with yours! Rachel’s memory will live forever in our hearts. We shared, so many fun Christmases, trips to Disneyland, Halloweens, sledding in the snow and the list goes on. We admired her earthly achievements and her courage thru many years of illness. One day we will all be reunited at the feet of Jesus!
Love,  Aunt Gail & Uncle Duane

I only knew Rachel through the eyes of her mom and dad, Steve and Myrna, but what I learned from them was her honest love for Jesus. I saw her continually place her trust in Him through her fight with pain and doubt as she battled her illness. Her love and acceptance in His will won every time. I wish I could’ve known her better and longer but her life will live on longer and more more profoundly in my memories because of the witness she engraved on my heart. 
“You (Rachel) are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people, revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”  2 Corinthians 3:2-3

I knew Rachel from 4th grade into early college. She knew me by a different name then, but she was someone I loved and cared for deeply. This photo was from a sleepover at her house back in 2009, I am on the left and she is on our laps. She lived the life that so many people hope to live, and she will continue to live on in everyone who new her. Sending love to everyone who will be missing her, but especially her parents, Steve and Myrna (who I had the honor of knowing years ago), and her husband, John, who she loved deeply. 

Dear Steve and Myrna, John and all your family,
I am asking the Lord to surround you as never before with the strength of His love and compassion for you. My heart breaks at your loss even though I have never met Rachel. Her testimony of faith has gone before her in many conversations I've had with Myrna and others here in Fresno who knew her. What a hero of faith she has been! What a witness of the power of the Gospel, especially through her cancer journey. I am also fighting cancer and Rachel's resilience and unwavering trust in the Lord has encouraged me so much! Her suffering will not be wasted. The Lord has used and will continue to use her life to glorify Himself and bring many to a stronger place of faith. I am so thankful for her testimony of Jesus. She is now truly healed, never to be in pain again. I know this temporary loss is so painful and I will continue to pray for your hearts as you walk this terrible road of grief. May the Lord carry you at every step. May He give you a glimpse of Rachel's impact on our lives through the testimonials you read here and may they bring you comfort and joy even as you mourn. I pray that the Lord will lift you up and guard your hearts in Christ Jesus. 

I sang this hymn at my aunt's memorial. I pray it comforts you all. 
We Shall See His Lovely Face
We shall see His lovely face some bright golden morning,
When the clouds have rifted and the shades have flown;
Sorrow will be turned to joy, heartaches gone forever;
No more night, only light, when we see His face.

God shall wipe away all tears some bright golden morning,
When the journey's ended, and the course is run;
No more crying, pain or death in that home of gladness,
Trials cease, all is peace, when we see His face.

We shall meet to part no more, some bright golden morning,
At the gates of glory where our loved ones stand;
Songs of vict'ry fill the skies in that hour of greeting,
Endless days, endless praise, when we see His face.

John, the McDonald Family,  and the Grima family, 

I am deeply sorry for you loss. Your Rachel is a testimony of the peace and grace someone can have in walking closely with God over a lifetime. 

Rachel and I met when she was in 6th grade and we began to carpool to school. I remember the kindness and gentleness she exuded wasn’t normal to me, but very attractive and we became quick friends.  My family has been blessed by knowing Steve and Myrna and Rachel.

Then she came to CalBaptist and we got to connect as adults! Rachel always had a fear and trust of the Lord that outpaced many of our peers but she also was so humble and you would never get the impression that she was “ahead” but she really was. She wasn’t distracted  with worldly desire  as, I loved that about her. 

I’m blessed reading the testimonies of her recent years and her patient endurance of faith. I am praying for you all. 

Love,
Tot 

Rachel, I am so grateful to have known you for the time I did. You are truly missed and I look forward to seeing you in heaven….

Rachel changed everyone who knew her for the better, and I was very privileged to be one of them.  I will never forget our memories together, and I will think of her every time I play Animal Crossing, eat ice cream or wear fuzzy socks ♥️
So much love to John, Myrna, Steve, and everyone who is hurting from this deep loss.  

John,
You know how much Rachel meant to me! I’m so glad Alan and I met y’all at FPU at church. I reached out to Rachel to see about getting involved with a life group and we ended up getting coffee at Panera a few weeks later and we totally hit it off. She was my first friend that I made at CEFC. Her friendship meant the world to me, but even more so her faith. She never wavered in her faith and she always pointed me back to Christ through life challenges. I will cherish the thrifting trips & the game nights we had together! When I look back at our year of friendship, I remember it with lots of love & lots of laughs. Alan and I will continue to be by your side as friends for years to come. We love you! 

OBITUARY

Rachel Nicole Grima

26 August, 1994 – 20 January, 2023

Neill Funeral Home

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