Rachel Anne Morrison

Beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend;

Rachel Anne Morrison, of Encinitas, CA, age 27, formerly of Chelmsford, MA died unexpectedly on Friday, March 28th, 2014 as a result of being struck by an alleged drunk hit and run driver in Del Mar, CA.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 23, 1987, she was the beloved daughter of John and Jeanne (Altemus) Morrison of Chelmsford, MA.

Rachel is also survived by her brother John, 24, her sister Julie, 21, her sister Sarah, 17, and her fiancé, Jesper Mortensen.  In addition Rachel is survived by her grandparents, Edward and Leocadia (Jezowski) Morrison of Lynn, MA as well as many great aunts, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A Ph.D. candidate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA, Rachel had completed her Master's degree.

She graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, MA in 2005 and was valedictorian of her class.  A Cardinal Medeiros scholarship recipient for her four years of undergraduate study at Boston University, she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2009.

Rachel was an adventurous person with a deep passion for science and marine research in remote regions of the world.  Some of her many hobbies were reading, writing, running, swimming, scuba-diving, hiking, and spending time with loved ones.

Rachel had planned to run her first marathon in Boston this April with her Dad.

A compassionate and inspirational person who was talented in everything she pursued, Rachel will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives she touched.

Funeral Service and Celebration of her life took place in California on Thursday.

Locally, friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in Lowell, MA from 3 to 6 P.M. on Monday April 7th.  Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday morning April 8th at ST. MARY CHURCH in CHELMSFORD at 11 o’clock. Please meet at church. E-condolences/directions at odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachel's memory to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, c/o UC Regents, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Drive-MC 0210, La Jolla, CA 92093-0210 to fund programs and research Rachel supported. Arrangements by Funeral Directors James F. O’Donnell, Jr. and John W. Crane (866 or 978) 458-8768.