Raquel Lynn Lusby was born on September 8, 1967, at the Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. Her parents Donna Raye White and Dan Stevens Baker were just in their 20’s when Raquel was born. Her father passed away in her early life. Her mother then married Lamar Calbeck and became Donna Calbeck. Donna passed away from cancer only a few years ago with Raquel acting as her main caregiver.

In her twenties, practically on her own, Raquel fought a battle with a rare case of Cushing's disease, which eventually led to life-saving surgery at the National Institute of Health in Washington DC. After about a year of recovery, she met her future husband. Raquel’s 32-year marriage to Brett Lusby had an exciting beginning under the bright lights of Las Vegas, on July 22, 1995. A son, Nathan David Lusby, was quickly the third human member of the family. Raquel always had a soft spot in her heart for her rescue dogs Stacy and Baxter, who were constant companions to Nathan as he grew up. Lilly, also found at the Humane Society, is Raquel’s most recent four-legged addition to the family.

Raquel earned her Bachelor Degree of Business Administration in 1991, and she earned her Associate of Science Degree as a Legal Assistant in 1998. This afforded her the opportunity to work in the legal field with many like-minded professionals, several of whom became close personal friends for many years. Raquel’s strong but caring personality allowed her to develop several powerful friendships from both high school and college years that have continued her whole life. Raquel enjoyed the challenging art of turning lumps of soft clay into ceramic masterpieces. When the masterpiece refused to come forth, she persevered and used the piece as a learning experience to lead into the next work of art. In addition to her artistic side, Raquel’s intellectual side was fed by voraciously reading a constant stream of books.

Raquel also enjoyed traveling to exotic places. She was constantly planning the next vacation. Sometimes even before the current one was done. These travels include numerous road trips and a significant number of cruise ship vacations to various islands in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

Raquel is survived by her husband Brett Lusby, her son Nathan Lusby, her brother Dan Baker and family, and all of the other friends and family members that have supported her throughout her life.

A celebration of Raquel’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 11:00 A.M. It will be held at the Baker Funeral Home at 3224 N Tyler Road, in west Wichita. The Humane Society or the Harry Hynes Hospice organization are excellent places to support if you feel like making donations in Raquel’s memory.