Rachel Roberta LaSala

May 6, 2020

Rachel Roberta LaSala, 67, of Farmington, CT, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 after heroic years battling kidney disease and lastly Covid-19. Rachel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Jewish Hospital (Einstein Medical Center) on September 27, 1952 and lived in West Philly before settling in Woodcrest, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She had a short move to West Palm Beach, Florida in her teen years, before returning to Cherry Hill and graduating from Cherry Hill West High School in 1970. She attended the University of Tampa and then transferred to University of Miami where she graduated in 1975. Rachel went on to earn a Master Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Shortly after marrying Anthony F. LaSala, M.D., she took on her greatest job and her most proud accomplishments bringing up her two children: Anthony S. LaSala and Natalie M. LaSala. She was nothing short of the best mom to ever do it. Growing up Rachel was often stage side at the Latin Casino (legendary Philadelphia-area nightclub), where her father, Martin Blumberg, was the maitre d’. From roughly 1960-1980, Rachel got to meet almost all the famous nightclub performers of this time. Stars like Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra, and The Supremes, to name a few. This led to her passion in dancing and a modelling career that found her in catalogs and even on a billboard off I-84 through Hartford. The dancing and fashion continued throughout her life, with numerous ballroom dance competitions; always dressing to the nines, and eventually meeting her closest friend, Eddie Salgado. She joked that her last wish was to be buried in a Latin dance costume. Rachel lived most of her life in West Hartford, CT. After a divorce in 2000, she resided in Cochranville, Pennsylvania and Merchantville, New Jersey before returning to Farmington, CT. She battled kidney disease for years and was fortunate to receive a transplant in 2007, which gave her some semblance of a normal life. She had the most vivacious passion to live and everything that she was part of was simply – FUN! She had an infectious personality and no one ever felt like a stranger, rather quite the contrast; she had an indescribable way of making people feel like family, from the very first conversation. There wasn’t a charity she didn’t donate to or a scam she didn’t fall for. The economy is really going to miss Rachel LaSala not being around when things open back up. Her battle with kidney disease involved making new friends every time she went into the hospital or to dialysis with the entire staff and other patients. She would never go to the hospital without her hair done, make-up on, and her Victoria Secret pajamas packed in her Louis Vuitton bag, no matter how sick she was. Saying she had the biggest heart, is an overused cliché, and barely touches how powerful she gave herself to everyone and loved everyone. Taken from us too young, she leaves behind heartbroken family and friends that will forever keep her iconic spirit alive. If you met Rachel once, it really felt like you met your long-lost best friend. There are some people in life that don’t need to show off material possessions or professional success to describe or honor the person or life they led. All the people that were lucky enough to have crossed paths with Rachel Roberta LaSala know she achieved a far more meaningful legacy. Rachel was predeceased by her father and mother, Martin Blumberg and Frances (Brotslow) Blumberg, and her brother Stephen Blumberg. She is survived by her two children; Anthony S. LaSala (Marianne) of Farmington, CT and Natalie M. LaSala (Luba Bululu) of West Hartford, CT; her brother Benjey Blumberg (Linda) of Medford, NJ; her best friends Shay Rosen of Cochranville, PA and Marsha Woolsey of West Hartford CT, and lastly her favorite people in the world, her cherished grandkids who call her Gigi – Sebastian Michael, Anthony Jules (AJ), and Leo Francis. The three boys will forever remember Gigi as their grandma that left them a lifetime of chocolate chip cookies and candy. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Kidney Foundation in Honor of Rachel LaSala. Services have been postponed until there is a safer time to congregate. Of special note, Rachel’s selfless daughter, Natalie, has devoted her life to helping her mom navigate the endless health obstacles and always being there to give hope and positivity. Whether that was the possibility of giving her a kidney or just a home cooked healthy meal that would help cure it all, Natalie is the best example of Rachel’s greatest work. A giant THANK YOU to Hartford Hospital and all her caregivers, notably, Dr. Matthew Carley and Diane Rosborough, who Rachel loved like family. Hartford Hospital and the heroes that work there have long been saving Rachel’s life and our family is forever indebted for your care and love. Rachel’s Army will keep her alive from here.