I sit here on this beautiful fall morning wondering about the fairness and fragility of life. Over the weekend I learned that Emily Rackow ’00 has passed away. She was found in her apartment in Washington D.C. at the end of last week. It is believed that she died of natural causes.

Those who had the privilege to know Emily knew her to be bright, thoughtful, and sensitive. A lifer at Shipley, Emily was a very gifted and accomplished student, passionate about learning. A committed and competitive athlete, she played field hockey, volleyball, and lacrosse early on before settling on field hockey and lacrosse for her entire career. She was involved in numerous service activities, and she also loved to sing; some of her favorite time, particularly early in her career, was spent singing with the Shipley group, Green Eggs and Jam. Emily had lots of friends and was extraordinarily committed to those around her.

When Emily left Shipley, she went on to Macalester College, where she double-majored in anthropology and classics. Upon graduating from Macalester, she did an internship at the Middle East Institute before taking a job with Amid East, a non-governmental organization that sponsors educational opportunities for people in the Middle East. At the time of her death she was contemplating returning to school to pursue an advanced degree in international education.

Emily’s passing is a devastating loss. She leaves behind her incredibly loving and supportive parents, Cindy and David Rackow, and her sister, Rachel ’97. The Rackows were the consummate Shipley parents. They were there for Emily and Rachel and for the School, as well. I am sure that Cindy, David, and Rachel would appreciate hearing from those of you who knew Emily. Their addresses are:

David and Cindy Rackow
376 Yorkshire Road
Rosemont, PA 19010

Rachel Rackow
38 12th Street, Apartment #2
Providence, RI 02906

Our thoughts, love and prayers are with them.

The service for Emily will be this Wednesday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Main Line Reform Temple, 410 Montgomery Avenue in Wynnewood. The family will sit shiva at their home on Wednesday afternoon and evening after the burial, all day Thursday, and Friday until sundown.

For those who choose to do make a contribution in memory of Emily, memorial funds are being established in her name at Shipley and at Macalester College, which is located at1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105.

Feeling numb as I do, I am reminded of how important it is to let the people we care about know that we care. Please give your family and friends the extra love and care they so richly deserve. I leave you with the words that Emily used in her yearbook, a quotation from Steve Murray:

You have got to climb a mountain before you can reach the sky,
You have got to build the bottom before you can build it high,
You must stare at your desires before you ever find your goals,
You must first explore your values before you understand your soul.

There’s a fresher running water for those who choose to see,
And there’s a smoother rolling wheel for those who choose to try,
And your own shadow stares upon you, for there it will remain.
No matter how far you are willing to run, how far are you willing to run, now?

Emily ran far in a short time, and we all will miss her.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,

Steve Piltch, Head of School
The Shipley School
814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610/525-4300
spiltch@shipleyschool.org