Rachel Mary Reinsvold

Rachel Reinsvold, 36, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away surrounded by family and friends on August 23, 2017, after a valiant battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, David Reinsvold; daughters, Emma and Lily; father, Rafael Velez; mother, Linda Velez; brother, David Velez and aunt, Lisa Velez-Yocum.

Rachel entered this world on July 3, 1981 in Aurora, Colorado, born to Rafael and Linda Velez. She attended Palmdale High School, where she excelled in her studies and participated in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Band for two years. After high school, she attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she was a member of the Spirit of Troy marching band and Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity.

After graduating from USC with a degree in Psychology and Sociology, she enrolled in law school at the prestigious Boston College School of Law. During law school, she became involved with the Innocence Project, where she worked to overturn convictions of those wrongly accused of crimes. After graduating with her J.D. degree in 2005, she accepted a position with a prominent law firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In Albuquerque, she met David Reinsvold, who became the love of her life and a devoted husband and father. The two married in 2006 and gave birth to two vivacious daughters, Emma (born 2006) and Lily (born 2009). Rachel adored her daughters and spoke frequently to friends and family of how proud she was of them.

In 2012, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS) and fought deftly and cheerfully against this insidious disease, making regular trips to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for treatment and advocating fiercely for herself for the best care and the latest treatments and trials. In 2015, she created the ASPS Support Group on Facebook, which grew to more than 100 members and continues to serve as a vital source of information and support for people affected by this incurable disease.

Rachel’s radiant spirit brought considerable joy to those close to her. She will be remembered by her friends and family for her relentless optimism, fierce intelligence, good humor, and above all, for her kind and loving nature. Her favorite quote was: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go … Some stay and make footprints on our hearts … And we are never, never the same.” Those who knew Rachel during her all-too-brief life will never be the same.

A visitation will be held Sunday, August 27, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Westside. A Rosary will be held Monday, August 28 at 12:30 p.m., followed by a Mass at 1:00 p.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87114. Interment will follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park at 4310 Sara Road, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center, www.mdanderson.org.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Rachel’s employer, Riley, Shane and Keller, for their kindness and support during Rachel’s extended illness.

FRENCH – Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd. NW
(505) 897-0300