Rachel Mae Rodell, 84, formerly of Pittsburgh, died Friday, June 7, 2017, at Latrobe Hospital after a brief illness. She was born December 19, 1932, in Punxsutawney, a daughter of the late Paul and Jessie Mark Nelson. Prior to retirement, she’d worked as a church organist, homemaker, mother, telephone switchboard operator, receptionist and sales clerk. A life-long advocate of human organ donations, she’d previously volunteered as a host driver for families of loved ones who were undergoing organ transplants at UPMC. She fondly recalled being an overseas chaperone for high school bell ringers for Southminster Presbyterian Church in Mt. Lebanon, where she reveled in the friendships and cheerful obligations that went along with being an alto in the church choir. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Rodell, in 2004. She is survived by her adoring sons, Eric (Susan) of Nashville, and Christopher (Valerie) of Latrobe. Her greatest joys came from time spent with her grandsons, Brad and Matt, and her granddaughters, Josie and Lucy. In accordance with her adamant wishes, her body is being generously donated to Humanity Gifts Registry, which ensures the next generation of rising doctors will grow confident and experienced in actual human anatomy to one day soon begin saving our living loved ones. There will be no visitation. A Pittsburgh memorial service is being planned for later this summer. Arrangements entrusted to ANTHONY M. MUSMANNO FUNERAL HOME, INC. 

 Service Information