Rachel Elizabeth Gaines

November 17, 1982 - October 31, 2020

Rachel Elizabeth Gaines November 17, 1982 – October 31, 2020 Our world has lost a beautiful soul. Rachel, age 37, beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and friend passed from our lives following complications from pneumonia. At the age of 14, Rachel had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. After surgery and numerous radiation treatments, the cancer went into remission. However, Rachel was left with a damaged immune system, heart issues, and other problems that left her prone to illness. In spite of her health issues, Rachel maintained a positive attitude throughout life. She loved to laugh and her laughter was infectious. She was so giving and loving and had such a generous heart. We are grateful to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, OR for their diligent and loving care and all their efforts to try to save her life. Rachel spent many family vacations on the Oregon coast as a child and always said she would move there when she grew up. That dream came true. At the time of her death, Rachel lived in Tillamook, OR. Although separated, she and her children's father, Peter Montgomery, remained good friends and worked together to provide loving, nurturing homes for their children, Grace and Charlie. Rachel was born in Salt Lake City, UT but primarily grew up in Elko, NV. Rachel lived in both Tonopah, NV and Wright, WY prior to moving to Elko in 1986. She spent most of her high school years living overseas. She attended Singapore International School her sophomore year where her favorite subjects were pottery and the art of eastern medicine. Her least favorite subject was Mandarin. She spent the majority of her junior and senior years in Sumbawa, Indonesia homeschooling through the BYU Educational program. She returned to Elko in January 2001 to attend her last semester at Elko High School so she could graduate with friends. After high school, Rachel attended the Utah College of Massage Therapy where she graduated in 2002 among the top of her class. Rachel moved to Las Vegas, NV for several years, then to Boise, ID, and finally to Tillamook, Oregon. As a child, Rachel spent hours watching This Old House with her dad. It was one of their favorite pastimes. In 2018, Rachel entered the construction field working on home remodels. Some of the jobs included RV work. Rachel realized that there was a real need for on-site RV repair on the Oregon coast. As a result, Five Rivers Mobile RV Repair, Rachel’s brainchild, started business on June 30, 2018 with her friend and business partner, Leon Kinnison. Rachel helped develop the business’s on-site presence and took classes to become certified in RV repair, including electric and plumbing. Today, in spite of Covid-19, the business is doing well and serves areas along the Oregon coast, as well as in and around Portland. Although Rachel’s doctors had told her that having children may cause her cancer to recur, she took the risk. Her cancer did return, but she never regretted her decision. Her two beautiful, healthy children were everything to her. Rachel was again in complete remission at the time of her death. She leaves behind a loving family: children Grace Elizabeth Montgomery, 10, Charles Frederick Montgomery, 8 (Tillamook, OR), parents Chuck and Pam Gaines (Spring Creek, NV), sister Heather Mentaberry (Elko), brother Robert Gaines (Elko), as well as many much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by both maternal and paternal grandparents as well as her Aunt Jenny, Uncle Calvin, and her cousin Brett. Rachel Gaines' Celebration of Life in Nevada Saturday, December 5, 2020, 1-3 p.m. At the home of Chuck and Pam Gaines 240 Ashford Drive Spring Creek, NV 89815 "Grief is only seeing that which has been taken away from you. A Celebration of Life is recognizing all that we were blessed with, and feeling so very grateful." --Ajahn Brahm Family and friends, please join us in celebrating Rachel's life by filling our home with love and light and sharing your favorite memories of Rachel. Our entire home will be open, including several covered heated areas outside, so that social distancing can be observed. Please make yourself at home and treat our home as if it is yours. A sharing of memories will begin around 1:30. If you have tested positive or have a known exposure to Covid during the two weeks prior to the event, are elderly or have underlying health conditions, or are unable to travel, you can still participate by sharing your memories on Rachel's Tribute page at www.demossdurdan.com or messaging Pam Paxton Gaines through FB messenger. Your memories will be read aloud at the Celebration. Food/beverages will be available. Side dishes/refreshments are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the Rachel Gaines Memorial Trust Fund has been set up for Grace and Charlie and can be accessed at www.gf.me/u/y7r6du