Rachel Anne MacLellan passed away August 18, 2017 from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis after a brief stay at Chaplaincy Hospice House. Rachel was born August 24, 1948 in Seattle, Washington to Howard and Erma Stengl. After graduating from Ballard High School Rachel worked at the telephone company while saving to follow her dream of a college education. That dream first took her to Peninsula College in Port Angeles, and then to the University of Washington. However, the dream was interrupted when she met Jay MacLellan in 1967 on a blind date arranged by mutual friends.  Because he didn’t want to risk losing her by waiting longer, they were married in June 1969 before Jay’s senior year of college.

After Jay’s graduation they moved to Vallejo, California, and Rachel continued her education at Sonoma College.  They then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Rachel worked in the Investors Diversified Services (IDS) investment library. From there they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where son Sean was born, and then home again to Seattle.  Although Rachel tried to restart her education at the UW, she quickly decided she needed to be home with their son.  While in Seattle daughter Kerri was added to the family by adoption, and son Ryan was born.  In 1983 the family made the move across the mountains to Richland, Washington and the house that she made a home for the next 34 years. In Richland Rachel continued her studies and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University, graduating as a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.  In addition to her academic excellence, she demonstrated her attention to detail by graduating with the exact number of credits needed, earning them over 25 years at four colleges in two states. After graduation Rachel worked at Battelle, Edward Jones Investments (where she became a Limited Partner), and later in the office of Dr. Albertini. In 2002 Rachel “retired” to devote her days to grandkids. 

During their 48 years of marriage Rachel was always Jay’s moral compass, never letting him rationalize decisions.  Although Jay had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior earlier in his life, it was Rachel’s decision to follow Christ while in California that set the path for their marriage.  It was not always easy, but their shared love kept them moving forward together. Such a best friend and life partner cannot be replaced. 

Rachel is survived by husband Jay; son Sean (Rhonda), grandchildren Quentin and Ayden MacLellan; daughter Kerri (Mike Bird), grandchildren Madison and Ashlyn Gerkensmeyer, and Mia and Gavin Bird; and son Ryan (Lisa). Rachel is also survived by mother Erma Stengl, sister Mary (Terry Tomlinson), sister Phyllis (Richard Lawrence), cousin Barbara (Gordon Barnes), and cousin Ted Smith (Iris). She was preceded by her father Howard Stengl. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tri Cities Chaplaincy at chaplaincyhealthcare.org.

There will be a celebration of Rachel’s life at 3 PM September 15 at Richland Baptist Church.