Obituary of Rachel Hutzel

HUTZEL, Rachel age 56 of Lebanon, Ohio passed peacefully Saturday morning, August 25, 2012 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati surrounded by her family. Born February 9, 1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rachel was the daughter of Bernard and Patricia (McNalley) Hutzel and was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Rachel grew up in Warren County on her family dairy farm - one of 13 children, graduated from Little Miami High School in 1974, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts in 1982 and then graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1991. Rachel joined the Warren County Prosecutor's office in 1993. in 2002, Rachel became the first woman elected Warren County Prosecutor and she made prosecution of child abusers a top priority. Rachel was instrumental in opening the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County in 2008. Rachel joined the 12th District Court of Appeals on February 10, 2011 becoming the first woman to serve on the court since it was created in 1983. Rachel also chaired the Victim Advocate Committee, served on the Executive and Legislative Committee of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association and on the board of Elizabeth's New Life Center, the Warren County Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and was the Chair-Elect of the Coalition for a Drug Free Greater Cincinnati. Preceded in death by her father, Rachel leaves behind her loving husband Jeff Blazey, son Matt Blazey; her mother Patricia Hutzel; brothers Bernard, Peter, Paul, Martin, Matthew, Patrick and Carl Hutzel and sisters Ida, Martha and Margaret Hutzel and Katie Hank and Alice Hutzel-Bateson and many other family members and friends. Friends may call on the family Tuesday, August 28, 2012 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the Warren County Administration Building, 406 Justice Drive, Lebanon, Ohio. a Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday morning, August 29, 2012 at 10:30am at the St. Francis DeSales Church in Lebanon, Ohio with Father Bernard Weldishofer officiating. The family appreciates memorial donations that are directed to the Rachel Hutzel Observatory in care of the Warren County Area Progress Council.