Ms. Rebecca M. Baez, the beautiful daughter of Amy Silva and Pedro Baez, left her earthly body minutes before midnight on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the young age of 24. Her spirit, love, and positive energy now flow with the everlasting River of Life.
Born Oct. 7, 1997, Rebecca was a gift to her family and her friends. She was confident, proud, talented, smart, and sassy. She lived her life fully; she loved time with her friends and special moments with her brothers and extended family; she especially loved her goldendoodle, Theo, who comforted her every day for the last four years.
Rebecca was an artist and spent many hours painting and drawing from nature. She was in her high school chorus and her drawings were used as the cover for the programs. After graduating from high school with a certificate in graphic design, she went on to study illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City before becoming ill. She had exquisite taste and was creative in the kitchen. During her final weeks, she spent time taking pottery classes with her mother, throwing clay on a wheel; time with her family at home watching Golden Girls on TV; she visited the zoo, the aquarium, and hung out with friends at the beach. Though her time was short, she did not despair; instead, for those whom she loved, she did prepare.
She is survived by her parents, Amy Silva and Pedro Baez; by her husband, Erik Mendez; by her brothers, Jacob and Benjamin; by her goldendoodle, Theo; and by countless other family members and friends, who are too great in number to be named, but loved by her all the same.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rebecca’s memory may be made to the Riverside Cancer Center in Newport News, Va., (https://donatenow.
Her final wish is to become one with the earth. A celebration of her life is planned for July 23, 2022, during which her ashes will begin to nourish a tree on her family’s homestead in Onancock.
Arrangements are by Cooper & Humbles Funeral Co., Inc.
