Raechel Wright

January 17, 1950 - May 7, 2026

Raechel Tigner Wright, born in Columbus, Ohio on January 17, 1950, passed away on May 7, 2026, after a vibrant 76 years filled with joy, adventure, humor, wisdom, and an unwavering devotion to the people and causes she cared about deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laurel Tigner and Richard Tigner, and is survived by her children, Emily Wright (Aaron Walker) and Jason Wright (Angela Wright); her grandchildren Julian Wright, Adrian Wright, and Vanessa Wright; and her step-grandchildren Hayleigh Walker and Emma Walker. She is also survived by her siblings Gretchen Tigner (Todd Silas), Bill Tigner, and Mary Tigner-Rasanen, along with her cherished extended family, and a wide circle of lifelong friends who became family in every meaningful sense of the word.

Raechel’s life spanned many chapters and many homes: from Columbus, Ohio, to Charlevoix, Michigan, to Calgary, Canada, and finally Denver, Colorado. Wherever she lived, she built community, gathered people around her table, and made ordinary days feel like something worth celebrating.

She was, in every sense, a woman of extraordinary intellect and restless curiosity. Raechel held a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, a Master’s degree in Computer Science, a Juris Doctor, and a Master’s degree in Psychology. Professionally, she worked as the Development Coordination Director & Software Engineer at Highlights for Children, the VP of Software Development for Bank One/Chase Bank, and the Senior Enterprise Architect for Alberta Health Services, where she was known not only for her technical brilliance but for her leadership, integrity, and clarity of vision. She volunteered as Director for the Charlevoix County History Preservation Society, as well as for the Charlevoix Circle of Arts, and was also the owner of a beloved café, The Alcove, a mid-life passion project that reflected her deep love of food, gathering, and community. Colleagues and mentees remember her as a transformative leader, often quoting her belief that “we can be an organization of values or an organization of blame,” a philosophy that became a guiding principle in the way others continued to manage and make decisions decades later. She mentored generously, led boldly, and consistently lifted others into their own potential.

But Raechel’s life was never contained by job titles or degrees. She was, above all else, a free spirit who lived life in color, strength, and joyful defiance of anything ordinary. She could often be found hiking the Canadian Rockies, kicking the family's ass in a game of euchre or ping pong, dancing at the front row of a Bliss Fest stage, traveling for marathons and 10Ks alongside her loved ones, and planning elaborate themed parties or book clubs with her treasured friends. She also set out on countless adventures- sometimes in pursuit of Biggie, her famously independent escape-artist dog, and other times simply to follow her curiosity wherever it led. She traveled widely to see friends and family and made it a point to seek out art museums and cultural spaces in nearly every place she visited, believing deeply in the importance of art, history, and beauty. Collecting stories and making new friends wherever she went, her bright purple hair, vibrant hats, and fancy shoes made her a presence that lit up any crowd.

Music was a constant companion, with favorites including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Enya, The Rolling Stones, CCR, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors. She could be just as easily found dancing as she could be philosophizing and debating politics at a kitchen table deep into the night. Raechel was a passionate cook and an enthusiastic gatherer. She expressed love through food- elaborate meals for camping trips, Sunday family dinners, holiday feasts that filled every corner of the house, and spontaneous gatherings that always seemed to grow beyond expectation. Friends and family remember oysters, tequila, wine, and laughter stretching late into the night, along with her insistence that no one should ever be left out of a table.

She was a fierce advocate for peace, justice and equality, a lifelong supporter of environmental causes, and someone who never hesitated to speak up for those without a voice. Whether organizing, protesting, donating, or simply refusing to stay silent, Raechel lived by a strong moral compass rooted in honesty, integrity, compassion, and belief in the dignity of all people. She was, by her own description, a “bleeding heart liberal,” and by all accounts, a force for good in the lives of many.

To those who knew her best, Raechel was generous, witty, brilliant, compassionate, and fiercely loyal. She was a caretaker, a challenger, a storyteller, and a friend who showed up, often unexpectedly, when she was needed most. She believed deeply in living fully, laughing often, and refusing to let a bad moment ruin a good life.

Her presence was felt in countless small and unforgettable ways: inviting coworkers without family to Thanksgiving, showing up in hospital rooms with food for everyone in sight, or buying groceries for the family in front of her at the store- always bringing care and generosity into life’s most important moments, and moving through the world with a quiet certainty that people should be looked after.

Above all, Raechel saw the good in people. She believed in their capacity to grow, to change, to do better, and to find joy amid difficulty. Her legacy is carried in the countless lives she touched as a mentor, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, and a kindred spirit.

Celebrations of Raechel’s life will be held in Calgary, Alberta, on June 4, 2026, and in Charlevoix, Michigan, on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, those who knew her are encouraged to gather with loved ones, share a good meal, listen to music that makes them move, speak up for something they believe in, and remember her favorite words of encouragement: "You are a force to be reckoned with!"

Raechel’s Celebrations of Life

 

Celebrations of Life will be held in:
Calgary, Canada on Thursday June 4th, 2026
&
Charlevoix, Michigan Date TBD

Photos of Raechel