Rachel Ann Vaca, 48, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, October 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving children. Rachel was born on October 31, 1974, in Kansas City, Missouri and received her education in the Kansas City Kansas School District.

At the young age of 17, Rachel was diagnosed with Lupus, a battle she would fight all her life until her body tired. Despite being told she should never have children, Rachel defied the odds against her and started her beautiful family in 1991 with the birth of her oldest son, Dominic Xavier Sanchez-Vaca, followed by Milo Santana Sanchez , Jr. in 1993, Alexis "Lexx" Monique Vaca in 1995, and Isabella "Bella" Sanchez-Trevino in 1997. Rachel also gained a son she loved like her own, Moneco Sanchez.

Those who truly knew Rachel, knew how important her children were to her. They were her world, and she did a remarkable job at raising them as a single parent. Rachel had a heart of gold and despite the odds stacked against her, she always found a way to make it happen and would do anything to help anyone in need. During her free time, Rachel enjoyed spending time with her 9 grandkids doing outdoor activities such as  going to amusement parks, movies, arcades, playing games, going to yard sales and thrift stores. Rachel also loved to dance and was always the life of the party (and even the after party).

On September 28, 2023, after battling Lupus for more than 30 years and being on dialysis for 17 years, Rachel met with her adult children and made the decision to discontinue further medical treatment(s) to prolong her life as she had grown weary of fighting to simply stay alive. With her children now grown, Rachel decided it was finally her time to prepare to enter eternal rest. By making this difficult but brave decision, this allowed Rachel to depart this life on her own terms. In the two weeks prior to her passing, Rachel did everything she wanted to do to include: going shopping, playing slots at the casino, listening to Mexican music and dancing at the ice cream socials at Guardian Angels and Holy Name Church, and received a house full of guests who wanted to say their last goodbyes and share precious memories with such an amazing person. Rachel was truly a beautiful soul and will be missed immensely by all who knew her.

Rachel is survived by her loving children: Dominic Sanchez-Vaca, Milo Santana Sanchez, Jr., Alexis Monique Vaca (Joe), and Isabella Sanchez Trevino (Chago) and Moneco Sanchez. Rachel leaves behind 8 sisters: Carmen, Sandra (Johnny), Rachelle (Socorro), Missy, Genece (Alonso), Katrina (Carlos), Jenni, and Christi. Rachel also leaves behind one brother, Robert Lee Vaca, Jr., 9  grandchildren along with her biological mother, Adella Pacheco, and John Joe Vaca (Christine), who she considered to be the parents who raised her.

Rachel was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Juan and Bertha Pacheco and Richard Santana Sanchez (Rose), who Rachel looked up to and considered a father figure.

The family would like to thank everyone for the love, support, flowers, prayers, food, laughs and visits while Rachel transitioned into eternal rest. The kind gestures of love displayed to the family during this difficult time are greatly appreciated and the family cannot thank everyone enough for the outpouring of love shown to Rachel.

Funeral arrangements for Rachel are as follows: Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. The Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 309 Benton Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery, 2301 S. 34th St., Kansas City, KS 66106. Rachel respectfully requested everyone wear white in her honor.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com