It is with great sadness that we announce that our mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, Rachel Amber (Savage) (Baker) Simons, Age 74, passed away peacefully on February 6th, 2021, after a short but brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Rachel was born in Middleboro MA, but moved to the Cape in 1964 and was residing in East Dennis for the past 17 years.
Rachel is predeceased by her parents, Miriam E. (Young) (Savage) Anderson (formerly from Attleboro, MA) and Vinal H Savage (formerly from Orleans MA), her older brother Stephen T. Savage and her husband Charles W. Simons.
Rachel is survived by 3 younger siblings; (brother) David A. Savage and his wife Denise, of MI, (sister) Rebecca R. (Savage) Conway and her husband Ray, of ME., (sister) Elizabeth J. Kosky (widow of Carl Kosky) & her partner Dex Chadsey of MA, and a sister in law Helga U. Savage , (widow to Stephen Savage), of MA.
Rachel is also survived by her two children; (daughter) Amber E. (Baker) Lavelle, of MA, grandchildren H.Dylan K. Lavelle of OR, and Morgan H.E. Lavelle, of MA., (son) Christopher K. Baker, of MA, grandchildren Kobie J. (McColley) Kohlmeier, her husband Rob, great grandchildren Jaelyn and James, of FL, and Chance B. McColley and his wife Katie, and greatgrandson Abram, also of FL .
Rachel also leaves behind 5 nephews; Joshua (wife Kathleen and daughter Abby) of AK, Kwinn of MI, Jeremiah (wife Jill and their daughters Anna and Audrey) of MI, Zachary (wife Lyndsay and their sons Eli and Luke) of MI, and Eric of MA. 4 nieces; Michelle (husband Jim, and son Nathaniel, and his son Timothy of VT, and daughter Kaitylyn and her husband Zach, of TX), Gabrielle of ME, Sarah (and daughter Ava) of MA, Cassandra of CA. Rachel also survived by her former husband E. Kenney Baker of Yarmouth, MA.
Rachel was very fascinated by her ancestry and kept contact with numerous beloved aunts, uncles and cousins, far too many to name, but equally special to her. Last but not least, she leaves behind her loving companion, Mert Ingham of Dennis, MA whom she shared many years of special moments and love. They were active members in their church and enjoyed many hobbies together, such as gardening, puzzles, scrabble, and spending quiet nights watching tv. She also formed a loving bond with his children, most especially his daughter, Jan.
Rachel and her children moved often, but always within the Mid Cape area, making many friends and acquaintance’s along the way. She attended many churches over the years, most currently she was an active member of the Dennis Union Church. At one time, she entertained getting her degree in Theology and was accepted for a full scholarship at Boston University. Rachel was also quite active with several organizations, such as the AMC (she loved to hike and at one point, has walked the entire length of Cape Cod), the Cape Cod Symphony and member of several Museums. She participated in gardening clubs, a local community garden, and tended her own gardens, both flower and vegetable, in such a way that it earned a spot on one of the local garden walking tours. Most recently, in spite of her illness, with very little ability to stand, she and her daughter went out on a sunny December day, to pull carrots out of the garden. Testament to her never ending determined spirit. Not one to "sit still", where ever she might be sitting, you would most likely find her to be knitting. She enjoyed making hats and donating them to the homeless. Rachel loved to paint, read, watch movies, and collect pretty things. Boy did she collect! Rachel loved to travel and spent many trips abroad with her late husband, Charles.
When recently asked the following, Rachel shared these thoughts and feelings with her children;
Fondest Childhood Memory: Stealing Hostess cupcakes with her brother Stephen, from the local pig farm.
Earliest Ambition: Making sure she had clothes for her dolls to wear. Educating myself and trying to make the world around me a prettier place.
Things that make me smile: My children/grandchildren, my family and friends, Mert, Flowers, watching/feeding the birds outside.
My Proudest Moment: Giving birth to my 2 children, the births of my grandchildren, graduating from SMU Dartmouth, and 4C's Colleges and being accepted (full scholarship) at BU, seeing my son graduate from BU.
Favorite color: green/blue, shades of Aqua.
Favorite past times/hobbies: gardening, traveling abroad, reading, board games, knitting, sewing, quilting, playing piano, bird watching, hiking, painting, visiting friends/family, learning new things, ancestry, yard sales and collecting pretty things. Touring through Museums, often with her Grandchildren, Dylan and Morgan, and appreciating the artwork.
Rachel was self employed with a successful cleaning business and enjoyed an early retirement giving her the opportunity to enjoy doing the things she loved, for the past 20+ years. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, family and friends. Gone far too soon.
Burial will be held privately with her immediate family, in the spring. Plans for a gathering for those who knew and loved her, to be determined at a later date, as COVID restrictions allow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one's choice. Please visit Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home website for updates for a celebration of her life.
