Rachel Gorman

Our Mom, sister, great-great grandmother, aunt, friend and Rock of the family, Rachel Gorman took her last walk down a runway on Monday, April 26, 2021 at home with family at her side.

Mom was a woman that constantly projected her passion for life, her determination and her immense love for her husband, parents, children, and siblings daily.  In her later years, when any of her extended family would ask who was her favorite, she always would reply, “you all are”.

When she undertook anything, it was always with gusto, whether undertaking mundane chores at home or playing golf with her beloved husband, Sam.  Anything less than perfect was not acceptable to her.  Her drive for perfection was reflected in her love for Joyce Kilmer’s poem, “Trees” and her description of their perfect forms and beauty.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Her sense of responsibility was always manifest in every endeavor she undertook.  From her work experiences as a young woman to the many years she worked jointly with her husband selling womens suits and coats.  Beyond her work, she felt a responsibility to her family.  She was always there to care for her three special needs siblings, or other family members in need of financial or medical help.

Rachel’s passion for life did not allow for excuses or accepting less than success. As has been said by those who knew her, she was “a work of art “and a “force to be reckoned with”.  Her family and friends will miss her beautiful face, her steadfastness, and her unique undaunted spirit of love.

Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Sam, parents, Maria and Ezequiel Herrera, son, Michael Lonchar, sister, Ernestine Palos, and brothers, Manuel, Albert, Alfred, and Robert Herrera.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy Smith (T.J.), sisters, Rita Khan, Beatrice Rodriguez, Olivia and Mary Herrera, Brothers, Louis and Richard Herrera.  Grandchildren, Stephanie Rodriguez and Heather Young, Great granddaughters, a Great-Great granddaughter and over 35 nieces and nephews and a galore of extended family all who she loved.

A Memorial and Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 10:00 am at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66210 followed by a reception.  Interment will follow at 1:00 pm at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Rachel to:  Villa St. Francis, Patient Recreation Fund, 16600 W. 126th St., Olathe, KS  66062