Rachel Elizabeth Urbanski

Rachel Elizabeth (Brown) Urbanski, 99 of Traverse City and formerly of Toledo and Walbridge, Ohio passed away peacefully on Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, MI with her loving family at her side, just 76 days before her 100th Birthday. Rachel was born May 30, 1921 in Petersburg, TN to parents William Henry Brown and Janie Belle (Forbes) Brown. She married love of her life Joseph Louis Urbanski on March 12, 1941 in Toledo. Rachel is survived by her daughter Judy (Bob) Lober of Traverse City, grandchildren, Wendy (David) Roelofs of Lake Ann and Michael (Julie) Lober of Traverse City, great grandchildren, Allison (Julian) Damer and Abbey Roelofs of Lake Ann, Benjamin, Jacob and Paige Lober of Traverse City, Stefanie (Jeremy) Knapp of Bear Lake and great-great grandchildren, Maxwell Damer and Harper Knapp, sister-in-law Janice Brown of Denver, PA and many nieces and nephews. Rachel is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe, sister Martha Cole Harris, brothers William Forbes Brown and E. Cowan Brown, infant sisters Sarah and Nancy Brown, nephews Douglas Brown, Charles Harris, Dean Harris and niece Amy Brown. Rachel graduated from Toledo DeVilbiss High School in 1939. Years later she was the Secretary/Treasurer for the DeVilbiss Golden Alumni and a member of the DeVilbiss Tiger Plaza planning committee at the Toledo Zoo. She was a member and President of the Ottawa Park Garden Club, a charter member, Vice President and Scholarship Chair for the Toledo Garden Forum and volunteered at the Perrysburg Commons garden program and Pots at Portside. She and Joe were on the Teamster Retirees to Action Executive Board, volunteering for many service projects. She was a civic advocate in Walbridge when needed. Rachel had many hobbies and loved to share them with others. She knit and crocheted hundreds of afghans and baby blankets for family, friends and for the Veterans hospital in Ann Arbor. Rachel worked at the Whitehouse Creamery on Sylvania Avenue during high school, she wrote articles for the West Toledo Herald and worked at the National Supply Company during WWII. She was a seamstress and dressmaker for many years and worked at LaSalles/Macy’s for twenty plus years. She was a member of the American Business Women. Rachel was a caregiver, not only with in her family but with many of her dear friends. She was always ready to lend a hand as needed and made sure everyone felt welcome when they stopped by for a visit. She will be forever remembered for her love, kindness and generosity. Since April 2020, Rachel lived at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. During her time there, she touched the hearts of many people. The staff has shared stories of Rachel and her wonderful personality in making friends and sharing stories of her life. Her family is grateful to the Pavilions staff for their care and love during this time! A memorial service will take place April 17, 2021 at 3:00pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City and interment will take place at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, Ohio. To view the service on our live stream please visit rjfh.tv. Memorial contributions made be directed to a charity of your choice in Rachel’s name. Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Rachel Elizabeth Urbanski

May 30, 1921 - March 15, 2021