Alexis Theresa Rinicella, known as “Beanie” by her family, passed away suddenly after a short illness on June 19th, 2013 at the age of 21. She left this earth in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her loving parents, Randy and Lisa (Bowling) Rinicella and her four siblings, Alex, Alana, Gina, and Toni.
Born in Fairview Park, Ohio, she spent her childhood years in Strongsville, Ohio and attended St. Joseph and John School, where she played as a member of the Viking’s basketball team. She relocated with her family to Houston, Texas, where she attended eighth grade at John Paul II Catholic School and graduated from the upper school at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in 2010. From her time in middle school through upper school, she continued to play basketball whilst pursuing her varied and eclectic interests. She also enjoyed acting and participated in her school’s 2008 staging of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, in which she played the amusing role of Kitty. Upon graduating, she was accepted to Arizona State University before transferring to Texas Christian University. While at ASU, she was initiated into the Chi Omega Sorority and continued to be an enthusiastic, active member after transferring to TCU. A remarkably empathetic and intuitive young lady, she focused her studies on a psychology major and was accepted to study at the University of Westminster in London to further her passion in psychology. . Before embarking upon her senior year, she had begun work as an intern in the Human Resources Department of HCC Insurance Holdings. It was evident to all of her coworkers that she went in each morning with an energetic spirit and an eagerness to work. Her desire to serve those less fortunate was a constant—she spent much of her time at the Houston Food Bank and volunteered at the KinderFrogs School. Her vibrant spirit and rambunctious personality, coupled with her immense and giving heart make her passing an acutely felt loss by all those she knew. In addition to her adoring parents and siblings, Lexi leaves numerous others with broken and wistful hearts.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Joe D. Bowling. She is survived by her parents Randy and Lisa Rinicella, siblings, Alex, Alana, Gina, and Toni, her, paternal grandparents John and Geraldine Rinicella and maternal grandmother Verna Kay Bowling, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends from both Ohio and Texas.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., including a vigil at 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 24th at Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Freeway in Houston. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 25st at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, located at 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Lexi’s memory to Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart at 10202 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024 or St. Cecilia Catholic Church 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, TX 77024.
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