Rachael Sydney Schopp, 24, died on June 2, 2020, in Chicago, IL, following a 2017 car accident from which she never woke up. She was a young woman full of life and love — a bright spark of a soul who briefly illuminated this world with her voice, laughter, and beautiful spirit.

Rachael was born on February 17, 1996, in Chicago, to Mary Ellen and John Schopp. She grew up in the city’s western suburbs, where music played an integral role in her life. As a young girl, she took tap and ballet, and soon learned to play the piano. But once she started singing, she never looked back. In elementary school, she sang in the children’s choir at church and participated in school musicals; in high school, she sang in the Fenwick Madrigal’s Choir and with Bravura of the Spirito Singers.

Clear-eyed and determined, Rachael always knew what she wanted, and was wholly committed to accomplishing it. That included her career: She’d known she wanted to be a doctor since second grade. Every summer during her middle school years, she attended camp at a local hospital, where she reveled in learning anatomy and dissecting cow livers. And when she graduated from Fenwick High School in 2014, she enrolled at St. Louis University to study health sciences in the pre-medicine program.

Although she was a devoted student, Rachael was also incredibly social; constantly flitting between events for her sorority, Kappa Delta, and her acapella group, Beyond All Reason. Another important part of her life was the Global Medical Brigade: In 2016, she traveled with a group of strangers to Honduras to perform volunteer medical work — and came back with a group of dear friends. The following year, she co-led the trip.

If there’s one word that described Rachael, it would be love. She was attracted to the human spirit, loving both life and the people in it. She was a connector: She enjoyed bringing friends together, and was incredibly inclusive, careful to never leave anyone out. She had a deep desire to help people; to make them feel special, heard, and loved. She was a hard worker — someone who never gave up — and that applied most of all to her relationships. It was no wonder why everyone loved being around her.

It didn’t hurt that Rachael was funny, too, with a wide smile and a contagious laugh that begged you to join. Aside from birds and clowns, Rachael was pretty much fearless, never letting anything stand in her way. She loved to go on adventures near and far; her favorite destinations were anywhere in Europe (but especially Italy), Hawaii, and New York City. She was a huge fan of musicals and movies, including “The Sound of Music,” “Mama Mia,” “Moonstruck,” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

Rachael will be remembered as strong, generous, caring, patient, and fun-loving; a ray of sunshine who lit up each room she entered. As someone who appreciated every little thing about this life — the people, the music, the oceans and the sky — and who experienced far more joy than one would expect of her 24 short years.

Though Rachael was taken from us far too soon, we will honor her memory by living as she did: by practicing acceptance and kindness, by always viewing the glass half full, by stopping for every dog and every gelato stand, by seeing the best in each other, by savoring each bite (and wearing it, too), by singing our hearts out and laughing as much as we can.

Rachael is predeceased by her grandparents Mary and Frank Bilotta, and her beloved dog, Bentley. She is survived by her parents, Mary Ellen and John E. Schopp IV; her sister, Morgan Schopp; her grandparents John E. Schopp III and Beverly Beal; her godparents Paul and Rebecca Bilotta; and scores of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held on July 17, 2020, at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs, IL,  from 3 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations for a scholarship fund that will honor Rachael’s love for music and medicine. Donations can be directed to The Rachael Schopp Memorial Fund, Community Bank of Western Springs, 1000 Hillgrove Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558, or sent via Zelle to ME Schopp at mebs4451@gmail.com (please write “Memorial Fund” in the memo).  Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home.