Rachel Anne Aterrado, a life-long animal lover, scientist, and outdoor enthusiast died of natural causes on August 4 in Washington, D.C.  She was 27.

Rachel was a second-year Ph.D. student in the department of Chemistry at Georgetown University. Rachel joined the Tong Lab and collaborated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology on research focusing on developing surface reactivity indexes and their application for clean energy generation and greenhouse gas mitigation. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2020 from Shenandoah University, where she served as a teaching assistant for General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Instrumental Analysis courses.

Rachel followed a vegan lifestyle and loved all beings as well as the planet they live on.  We can honor her legacy by eating more plants and by gaining a deeper respect for animals as sentient beings that have families and love to play as much as we do.  Rachel was always reminding us that just a few simple changes to our lifestyles and diets will save the earth.

She is survived by her mother Linda, father Nestor, grandfather James, aunt Brenda, aunt Judy, uncle Claudio, and her adored cat Cuddles.  Raised as an only child, Rachel was thrilled when her family expanded. She treasured her relationships with her dad Ron, and siblings Brian, Chad, Adam, and Zia.

Rachel has left the earth to join her beloved grandmother Dorothy; her dearest dogs Dallas, Bubba, and Porky; her precious cousin Amanda; her doting grandfather Lolo; and her cherished Uncle Freddy.

Eight years ago, Rachel walked into the Winchester SPCA and asked to adopt the cat who had been there the longest.  She and Cuddles have been inseparable ever since.  The family wishes that memorial contributions be made to the Winchester SPCA: https://winchesterspca.org/donate/