Rachel Beatrice Brown Hixenbaugh of Swarthmore; formerly of Belle Vernon; died Tuesday; Oct. 12; 2004; at the age of 95. She was born in Pittsburgh; the youngest of three children of Joseph Benjamin; a native of Wales; and Margaret Price Brown; on Nov. 9; 1908. After graduating at the age of 16 from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh; she worked at the Pittsburgh Meter Company; handling orders and sales accounts. Rachel married Leo Herbert Hixenbaugh on April 20; 1931; and resided in Belle Vernon; where Leo was employed by First National Bank. An avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates (and later the Philadelphia Phillies); she was a voracious reader; especially of English history and mysteries; and a member of a local book club. Mrs. Hixenbaugh enjoyed flower gardening; playing bridge; knitting; sewing and cooking. She played the piano; enjoyed solving puzzles and attending plays and orchestra concerts. Rachel and Leo moved to Swarthmore in 1982 to be closer to their only daughter Nancy. Following her husband’s death in 1983; Mrs. Hixenbaugh lived independently in her much loved; adopted community until she fell and broke her hip in February 2004. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter; Susan Jo Maclay; in 1981. Survivors include her daughter Nancy Maclay and husband Donald; one grandson; Timothy Maclay of Fairfax Station; Va.; and two great-grandchildren; Alexander Jon Maclay; 11; and Rachel Rose Maclay; 9; of Downingtown; and one nephew; James B. Shinkle Jr. of Wallingford. The LEONARD J. PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME; family owned and operated; 626 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-6183); is handling arrangements. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Special Olympics Pennsylvania; P.O. Box 3010; Norristown; Pa. 19404-3010. For those unable to attend; online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s web site; www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.