Rachael Marie Sheridan

Rachael Sheridan, 39, of Lawrence, Kansas, died February 24, 2014, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo, surrounded by her loving family. Cause of death was complications from H1N1 flu. A memorial service and celebration of Rachael’s life will be held March 15, 4 p.m. at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania in east Lawrence.

Rachael was born in Lawrence on Thanksgiving Day, 1974. She worked as a cognitive therapist at Minds Matter, LLC, in Lawrence. She was a loving mother, daughter, granddaughter and aunt, a loyal friend, and the best big sister in the world. Her friends knew her as feisty, funny, sometimes bodacious, always charming, with a laugh none will ever forget.

She was the biological mother of two, but a mother figure to many. Though she did not possess material wealth, she would give you her last dollar if you needed it. She looked out for people and never hesitated to offer support in the hardest times. One recipient recalled her “caring eyes and disarming smile at my back door with a big bowl of chicken and dumplings.”

Rachael is survived by her beloved children Chloe Sheridan and Caleb Sheridan, their father Tony Blevins and brother Blu Midyett; stepson Quinton Hamm and his father Michael Hamm; mother Kristine Sheridan and stepfather Dan Klinknett; father James Dick and stepmother Pam Grout; sisters Elisabeth Sheridan, Rebekah Sheridan, and Hannah Sheridan-Duque (Brother-in-law Juan Duque); stepsister Tasman Grout; nieces Khia Sheridan and Nona Sheridan-Duque; nephew Ezekial Sheridan; grandparents Jeanne Johnson and Howard Whittington. She also leaves behind an army of friends, many of whom she considered extended family, who will miss her very much.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Rachael Memorial Fund at www.gofundme.com/RachaelSheridanFund

The world has lost a special light. We love you, Rachael. Rest in peace.