Raquel Maria Thorne was born on May 13, 1955, to the late Maria and Cornelius Trotman at Gorgas Hospital in Panama, Canal Zone. Lovingly referred to as "Raqui" by her family and friends, she was one of nine children and is preceded in death by her sister Sylvia Sainten and her granddaughter Imani Dominique Sylvia James. Raqui was loved deeply by her family and friends and had an impeccable bond with her seven siblings, first cousins, and host of nieces and nephews who were her best friends and the center of her world. She was the hilarious, "fun aunt" who was notorious for making everyone laugh, and could bring a smile to anyone's face and brighten up any room she walked into. She was a nurturing When Raqui wasn't spending time with loved ones, she was at the casino spending quality time with her brother-in-law Berto, or she could be found watching her favorite tv shows, (she was a DVR queen before streaming was invented) or in the kitchen making her infamous dishes, such as her cou-cou and fish, lasagna or Panamanian souse for her friends and family. She enjoyed traveling to spend time visiting with her sisters, nieces, nephew, brothers-in- law, and friend in Virginia, and especially loved being with her family during the holidays. Raqui always tried to make the best of life, even as she faced ongoing health challenges in her final years. She kept her chin up and never gave up; she always had a joke and a way to make people smile, even in her pain and suffering. Raqui was very strong and was a fighter--literally a Fighter! Raqui never backed down from any situation and would often get into fights to protect her twin sister Maritza and best friend Julieta if anyone picked on them or gave them any trouble. In the days leading up to her transition, Raqui spent her final moments with her daughter Tammy and siblings, expressing her love and concern for everyone and their wellbeing, even when it was her turn to be taken care of, her caregiving spirit never left her. Although she is no longer with us in the flesh, Raqui will forever remain in our hearts and minds, and her infectious spirit, smile and laughter will live through us. Tamara Thorne, her only child, was Raqui's all! She loved Tammy with all her heart and soul. She gave her everything that she had and didn't have. Her love for Tammy was so deep-- Truly a Mother's Love of endless sacrifice. Raqui is survived by her siblings: Clemente Sainten (Cecilia); Judit Morales (Gilberto aka her-casino buddy Berto); Cornelius Trotman, Jr. (Cristina); her beloved twin sister Maritza Lashley (Mario); Luis Trotman (Marcia); Luisa Cannon (Michael); Mirna Flowers (Thomas); her dearest cousin Lurdes Nunez (whom she loved like a sister); her thirteen nieces and nephews; a host of great nieces and nephews; her best friends, Caroyln Pilgrim, Julieta Rafael-Scott, and Arturo Holmes, and so many others whom she touched during her 69 years of life. Raqui, we know that to be absent from this earthly body is to be present with the Lord. We wanted to keep you here with us a little longer, but God saw it fit to take you in His Time. You will forever be in our Hearts - gone but never forgotten.