Dr. Raquel Sophia Barnes, D.O.

Dr. Raquel Sophia Barnes, whose warm and caring embrace will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the age of 49 in her own home after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Raquel selflessly continued to do what she loved; to practice medicine until the very end, in order to ease the suffering of her patients, all while she was privately suffering and battling cancer; though she lost her battle, she never gave up. 

Raquel was quoted as saying to her CityMD family “People ask me why do I continue to work?  I think that while you’re alive your life should be meaningful and helping others brings me purpose”, Dr. Raquel Barnes 1-13-23.

Raquel was an exceptionally beautiful, kind, and giving person who cared deeply about her husband, her step children, her family, patients, and community.  Dr. Raquel Sophia Barnes was born April 6, 1973 in Queens, New York.  Raquel graduated Martin Luther King High School, was a Lifeguard became a Registered Dietitian and ultimately fulfilled her dream to become a physician. 

Raquel completed medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and completed her residency in Family Medicine at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, NY, and a fellowship in Urgent Care Medicine. She dedicated her medical career to caring for underserved communities and became the medical director at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.  She spoke English and was fluent in Spanish, and American Sign Language.  In addition to being a Medical Doctor, Raquel was also a Registered Dietitian, an artist, and a published author. 

Raquel had a passion for and made significant contributions to the sport of International Handball. She was the founder and captain of Team Puerto Rico and promoted the sport whenever she could. She was proudly elected as the first Latina President of the World Handball Council, and recently authored a book titled “Off the Wall and Bouncing Back.”  Raquel was inducted into the New York Handball Hall of Fame in recognition of her dedication in promotion of the sport of handball/wallball on both the national and international level.  Before she passed, she was given the honor and designation of becoming an “A” Player in the sport, which signifies that the athlete has competed at the highest level, and has shown athleticism, integrity, and sportsmanship.

Raquel had a close personal relationship with Jesus, having served on the prayer team, and children’s ministry at True North Community Church in Bohemia, New York.  Her faith as a Christian guided her through life.

Dr. Raquel Barnes was the beloved wife to her husband, William E. Barnes, and parent to her two stepchildren, William Philip, and Marc Patrick, whom she had profound love.  Raquel proudly co-parented William and Marc with Paul and Annmarie Marzullo who she loved as family.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 13th, 2023, from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM at McMillan-Small Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will follow beginning at 12 Noon. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request that tax deductible donations checks to be sent to Inner City Handball Association (ICHA) at: P.O. Box 531, Baldwin, NY 11510 or ICHA Donation Fund. 

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