WHEELER-ROSSOW, Rachel Lee. Rachel Lee Wheeler-Rossow, of Ellington entered eternal life on November 29th, 2013. Born on March 20th, 1939 in Long Beach, CA, Rachel lived in Ellington since 1970. She earned her BSN from Salve Regina, her MS in Nursing from Catholic University of America, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Salve Regina. Her many awards include the Caring Award from the National Caring Institute. Her accomplishments include: Novitiate in the Carmelite Monastery, Barrington, RI; Co-founder and President of Alpha and Omega Inc. since 1974; Consultant to Connecticut DCYS facilitating care for families and – according to Time magazine – “helps other moms make brief lives happy”; Chair of Medical Review Board of Connecticut; Guard on State of Virginia Girls’ Basketball Championship Team (1955); coached Orange Crush girls’ basketball team for 8 years; numerous local government responsibilities including Democratic Town Chair, Justice of the Peace, and various boards and commissions for Ellington and the State of Connecticut. Rachel loved unconditionally. This abundance of love for all God’s creations and her eternal optimism brought purpose and joy to so many. Rachel loved all things the color Blue! She joins her parents Capt. Robert E. Wheeler U.S.N. Ret. and Leila Jacobsen Wheeler, and her children Christopher, Simone, Maria, Benjamin, David, Mary, Ellen, Eddy and Joseph in eternal life. Rachel leaves her children Rachel Marie, Robert and Stacey, Susan and David Janton, Patrick, Charlie, Yodi, Roy, Jose Luis, Michael, Aaron, and Elizabeth; and grandchildren Avery, Ana, Christopher, Jessica, Lauren and Abigale; cousins; Alpha and Omega Co-Founders Carl Rossow and Doris Marshall; and worlds of friends. Family and friends may call at Burke-Fortin Funeral Home in Rockville, CT on December 5th from 5:00-8:00pm. Services will be at the Carmelite Monastery, Barrington, RI on December 7th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Carmelite Monastery, 25 Watson St., Barrington, RI 02806. Heaven is sweeter. The earth is emptier. With tears we rejoice for Rachel.