Rachel Brady

Rachel Ann Szarzynski Brady passed away on Monday, August 21, 2023 at her home in Grapevine, TX. She is survived by her beloved daughter Felicity, her mother Ginger, her father Ed and stepmother Nancy, her brother Jonathan and sister-in-law Kim, her sister Sarah, Felicity’s father Emmet, her darling nephews, and many extended family, friends, and colleagues for whom her life made an indelible impact.

Rachel was born to Ginger Shaw and Ed Szarzynski on July 20, 1974, and spent her formative years in El Paso, TX, where she graduated from Eastwood High School in 1992. Rachel thrived as an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin, participating in the selective Senior Fellows Program in Communications before achieving a B.S. in Communication and Media Studies, specializing in Radio, Television and Film.

After college, Rachel found a passion for social change, working briefly with the Gallup Corporation before pivoting into a lifelong career supporting educational justice efforts. She joined Teach for America and taught second grade at Truesdell Elementary with D.C. Public Schools and then served as an elementary teacher with the Houston Independent School District. As a TFA Corps Member, Rachel was recognized for her unswerving dedication, hard work, genuine love for students, and most importantly, her ability to help students achieve high academic results.

Rachel transitioned out of the classroom to embrace a broader impact on education, joining The New Teacher Project (TNTP) in 2001. Rachel served in a variety of roles over her 10 years of service, including Site Director for an innovative teacher recruitment and certification program in Dallas, Senior Site Advisor for Recruitment and District Hiring – where she acted as the lead consultant for the marketing and recruitment campaigns for 20+Teaching Fellows Programs across the United States, and ultimately Director of Talent Acquisition for the organization.

After receiving several requests for help from previous colleagues after leaving TNTP, Rachel founded her company, LightBee Talent, in 2011. For the past twelve years, LightBee designed high impact, equitable, and goal-driven solutions for the recruitment and placement of quality, diverse candidates for high-profile non-profit educational entities and school districts. Rachel was proud to have recently completed the rigorous Rice University Certificate in Human Resources Management and to have obtained her SHRM-CP credential.

In 2012, Rachel started a Meetup group called Modern Moms, Badass Babies. She did this on a whim, not really thinking it would amount to much other than possibly finding a few like-minded friends. In news that will shock no one, Rachel’s hilarious description of this new group that promised to be “not like all the other Mom groups” was a phenomenal success. MMBB brought so many women together and served as a haven for the women who were not just looking for parenting advice and playdates but for social connection, fun, and interesting conversations that weren’t just about diapers and milk. Rachel was the quintessential hostess, the master of throwing an event, and had the personality and charm that made everyone feel welcome. Every core member of this group loved Rachel and is thankful to her for being brave enough to put herself out there on the internet. There are so many women who will always associate early motherhood with MMBB meet ups and the lifelong friendships spawned by this group. Rachel will forever be cherished as the mastermind and “the godmother” of this tribe.

Within this litany of accomplishments, Rachel’s self-proclaimed biggest achievement and most consistent source of joy was being a mother to her daughter, Felicity. Rachel spoke of her love for her daughter every day. Rachel was proud of her daughter from the moment she learned Felicity was on her way into this world, and her pride continued without interruption as she watched Felicity grow. She reveled in playdates with her mom’s group, classroom projects, creating matching Halloween outfits, family vacations, favorite books, and precious one-on-one time with her little girl. Her love for her daughter was fierce, and her time with her daughter throughout the years framed her happiest moments.

For many friends, Rachel was a beam of light—the one who would always see your humanity, show up in your desperate times, mirror your tears, and somehow get you to laugh just a little on your way through them. She had a keen sense of the importance of words and a razor-sharp mind and sarcastic wit to match. You could count on her for a pithy quote and an accompanying soundtrack for any occasion. She was outspoken in her beliefs, but also knew exactly how to frame arguments for every kind of audience. She was a fierce competitor and even fiercer intellectual. Rachel was the type of person who was never limited by what had been done or by what others thought was possible – she was willing to do whatever it takes to get things done and think of new ways to do it. She was open-hearted, passionate, and compassionate.

Rachel’s light burned brightly, and it was also often cradled in shadow as she experienced significant mental health issues from a young age. Rachel was a fighter, an advocate, a friend, a mentor, and most importantly a mother, and she strove repeatedly in the face of significant challenges to show up with a smile, to step forward in her life, to try to be there for her family and daughter, and to hold on for one more day. It is with unbearable sadness that we acknowledge that within the context of this struggle, Rachel ended her life.

In her clearest times, Rachel knew how much she was deeply loved, and she loved deeply in return. It is with this love that we choose to remember Rachel.

The family respectfully asks for time to grieve her loss. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 2 p.m. at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Colleyville, TX. If desired, donations may be made in Rachel’s honor to your local animal shelter, in recognition of Rachel’s lifelong commitment to fostering local animals in need.

No matter what problems you’re dealing with, whether or not you’re thinking about ending your life, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call or text the Lifeline at 988.

If you or someone you love needs help for an addiction, please call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

A a celebration of life for Rachel will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Bluebonnet Hills Hall, 5725 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, Texas 76034.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Brady family.