The DePaulia

Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Two Cents

Francisco "Frankie" Valencia

Rachel Gilliam, Psychology
09/10/1984 - 11/01/2009

"DePaul had a big impact on Rachel's life because it led her to the city she loved, Chicago. After graduating from DePaul, Rachel decided to travel for a few years and live life before she jumped into a corporate job. She lived those years to the fullest. She shared an apartment with her sister, Audrey, becoming the best of friends and were frequent travel companions...
Rachel turned 25 in September and saw this as a milestone to begin planning the next phase of her life. She planned to take the GMAT test and enroll in a MBA program. She had also decided to take over the web sales and marketing of a consumer novelty product. Lastly, Rachel was going to volunteer for the Jared Peyton 'Toys for Tots' drive so she could begin giving back to Chicago - the city she loved."
(Janine O'Shea, mother)

"She was an incredibly lively and amazing girl. I truly have never met anyone like her and don't believe I ever will. Truth be told...everytime I pass a Franzia box...it makes me think of her and her bubbly, quirky self."
(Kelsey Delmonico, friend)

"My sister was a witty, intelligent and adventuresome person. She has traveled all over the world: to Argentina, Uruguay, Dubai and, most recently went on safari in Tanzania and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Rachel was incredibly generous, loving and willing to do anything for her friends and family. Her fun-loving nature and sarcasm will be sorely missed...
I love my sister deeply; she was, and forever will be, my best friend.
(Audrey Gilliam, sister)


Francisco Valencia, Political Science
03/18/1988 - 11/01/2009

"My big brother and I discussed all of the quotes that he loved. He told me why he liked them so much and what they meant to him. One of Frankie's favorite quotes is "The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost 1874-1963. Think about what that means. It's more powerful than you may think."
(Victor Valencia, brother)

"You didn't have to know Frankie Valencia well, to understand what an inspiration he was to DePaul.
Frankie was kind-hearted, open, loving, and compassionate to everyone he met. His smile was inviting and his words were full of meaning and depth. He had a beautiful soul, full of joy and passion. Passion that would have changed the world-for the better. Frankie is an unfortunate victim in the midst of violence. Although such tragedy has hit the DePaul community, I pray that it will result in change. Change that Frankie would want to see in our community, in our city, in our world.
Frankie will be greatly missed. His absence fills the offices, the classrooms, the groups he was involved in. But in order for his convictions to be carried on, we must stand together against the injustice of violence. We must be many voices speaking out against the crimes in our city. We must be one community who reaches out to the many victims of violence.
Let us not forgot the soul of Frankie, who so many knew and loved. Let us come together to embrace his life and in his name, change the world for the better."
(Grace Dietrich, friend)

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