Rachel Anna Bresnahan, 97, of Liberty Heights in Colorado Springs, passed with peace and grace on September 22, 2021 after a brief illness. Born in Fitchburg Massachusetts May 22, 1924, to father Camille (Joseph) Delisle and mother Germaine Alexandra “Mimi” (Dextraze) Delisle, Rae was the oldest of four sisters: Georgette Delia Miller, Marie Yolande Sullivan, and Muriel Laurie Sculos. She attended École Sainte-Cécile Grade School, Leominster High School, Endicott College in Beverly, MA and graduated from Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene in Boston. She married Richard (Dick) Anthony Bresnahan, a career Army Officer, on December 30,1946, and remained his loving, supportive wife for the next 62 years.
As a loyal wife and mother of two boys, Mark Kevin and Kenneth Michael, she created warm and supportive households in 13 different locations during her husband’s Army career and in retirement: Ft. Benning GA, West Point NY, Ft. Leavenworth KS, Stuttgart, Mannheim and Baumholder in then West Germany, Carlisle PA, Fairfax VA, Ft Sam Houston TX, Ft Sheridan IL, Kafisia Greece, Littleton CO and finally Colorado Springs. She had resided at Liberty Heights in Colorado Springs since 2001.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dick, her son Mark Kevin, her sisters Georgette and Yolande, and her daughter-in-law Darcy Potts. She is survived by her son, Kenneth M. Bresnahan, and his wife Leana Dooley Bresnahan; eight grandchildren: Heather Anne Bresnahan, James Adam Bresnahan, Rachel Alexandria Bresnahan, Shannon Louella Eva Bresnahan, Michael Joseph Alexis, Merritt Elise Ware, Lauren Noelle Bresnahan, and Kailyn Alyssa Bresnahan; seven great grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews. She was also extraordinarily close to her husband’s family. She is preceded in death by Dick’s first cousin, Betty Jordan, and her husband, George Cook Jordan; and survived by their children: Jay, Daly, Cook, Jr., and Brien.
In November 1990 she and her three sisters and two nieces shared a life-changing pilgrimage to Medjugorje, in then Yugoslavia. Upon her return she said “my heart had been transformed, …granted an abundance of spiritual gifts – an awareness of placing myself in God’s presence at all times offering all to Him for His honor and glory.” This led her to found Queen of the Apostles Mission Association (QAMA), which has to date provided “more than $2.7M in aid to finance the building and renovation of more than 40 churches, seminaries and monasteries” in the former Soviet Union.
Through her devotion to her family as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt; her faithful friendship with the many dear friends she developed throughout her life, her dedication to her faith, and the spiritual guidance she so freely offered to those who were close to her, she was a larger-than-life, important presence in all of our lives.
Rachel is now in the heart of Our Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and The Blessed Mother Mary. She will be greatly missed.
A funeral mass will celebrate her life at St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument, Wednesday, October 6th., Rosary 9:30 am and Mass 10:00 am followed by a reception. A mass and burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced when she will be laid to rest with her husband, Richard Anthony Bresnahan, who preceded her in death in 2009.
In lieu of flowers, the family prayerfully recommends donations to St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument, Colorado.
6
Oct
55 North Jefferson Street
Monument, CO 80132
6
Oct
55 North Jefferson Street
Monument, CO 80132
There will be a reception immediately following Mass in the Parish Ministry Center. Concluding services and Interment Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a later date to be announced.
6
Jan
1 Memorial Avenue
Arlington, VA 22211
Catholic rites will be held in the Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery with interment immediately following.
1 Memorial Avenue
Arlington, VA 22211
