Rachel Melrose (Loomis) Stone

Rachel Melrose (Loomis) Stone, 93, loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother joined her Lord, husband, siblings and friends when she passed peacefully in her sleep on October 3, 2017 in Spokane Valley, Wash.

Born November 26, 1923 in Roseberry, Idaho, Rachel was the daughter of the late George “Mervyn” and Nora Loomis of Donnelly, Idaho.  While attending Boise Business College in 1942, she met her husband of 61 years, Colonel James Sherman Stone. Their marriage on July 31, 1943 was the first wedding in the chapel at Mountain Home AFB.

Rachel was a giving person and active volunteer throughout her life. She belonged to the Officer’s Wives Club at each AFB and the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.  Professionally she worked as a Secretary, in Real Estate sales, and as a Mary Kay consultant.  As a proud convert to the Catholic Church she believed in the power of prayer, frequent attendance at Mass and recitation of the Rosary. Rachel gave back to her faith by teaching catechism and active involvement with the Catholic Church Altar Society.

Rachel was proud of her lifetime commitment to volunteerism. She was the first to support her children, grandchildren and/or community organizations with her personal time or financial donations.  She was instrumental in the establishment of “Meals on Wheels” in Buena Park, CA and was nominated as the Orange County Diocese “Woman of the Year” in honor of her faith and commitment. Rachel’s volunteer efforts also included Catholic Charities, Girl and Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics, Wounded Soldiers, youth sports programs including Little Miss Softball, Buena Park High School Athletics and Fine Arts, Buena Park and Fullerton City Commissions and served on the Board of Directors of Fullerton Fountains.

Rachel took pride in her role as a wife and mother and frequently said “One of my most important goals as a parent was to get a college education for my children” and she was proud of her four children graduating with Bachelor’s and Advanced degrees. She attended most high school and college graduations for her children and grandchildren with great pride.

Rachel enjoyed traveling even if just a road trip in the family car. She traveled to Rome, Italy with friends and enjoyed cruises to Jamaica and Mexico. She either lived in or visited all 50 States in the United States and most recently enjoyed checking social media to experience the travels and activities of her kids and grandkids.

Rachel is survived by her four children: son Don Stone of Lopez Island, Wash.; daughters Sharon Israel of Calif., Terry Mahoney of Spokane Valley, Wash., and Jeanie Marie Urban of Concord, Calif.; Son-in-law Brian Mahoney of Wash.; ten grandchildren: Nathan Stone of Wash., Shannon Miller of Calif., Zanna Grandinetti of Wash., Shaun Israel of Calif., Kevin Mahoney of Wash., Amanda Uy of Calif., Jessica Israel of Calif., Tessa Mahoney of Idaho, Danny Urban of Calif. and Kelly Urban of Calif.; fourteen great-grandchildren: Ellie and Sammy; Delaney, Graham, Aeden and Blakely; Kiersten, Brodie and Brooklyn; Tyler and Ethan; Annabelle, Isabelle and Samantha; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Rachel in death were her husband, parents Nora and Mervyn Loomis, siblings Elton and Myron Loomis of Donnelly, Idaho, Hazel Loomis (Withers) Hackler of Cascade, Idaho, son-in-law Cliff Israel of Calif., daughter-in-law Carole Stone of Wash. and great-grandson Anthony of Calif..

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held November 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm at Heikkila-Carver Funeral Chapel in McCall, with viewing beginning at 5:00 pm until the conclusion of the Rosary at 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, beginning at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in McCall with Reverend Steve Rukavina and Deacon Floyd Loomis officiating. Graveside services will follow at Holmes Cemetery southeast of Donnelly at approximately 1:30 pm. Please join family and friends for a dessert reception immediately following the graveside service at Donnelly Bible Church, Donnelly, Idaho.

Flowers are welcome. Please direct flower deliveries to Heikkila-Carver Funeral Chapel, McCall, Idaho by Friday, November 3rd. If you desire to make a donation in Rachel’s honor, please donate to the Roseberry Idaho Historical Society or any organization committed to helping others.

To leave a condolence or message for Rachel's family, please visit www.heikkilafuneralchapel.com

Arrangements in care of Heikkila-Carver Funeral Home, McCall.