Rachael Marie Pearce

It’s with great sadness that the family of Rachael Marie Pearce (Griffin), 71, a lifelong resident of Washington and longtime resident of Thurston County, announces her unexpected passing on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. She passed away peacefully at her mother’s home in Olympia.

Rachael will be lovingly remembered by her son, Charles Pearce, her mother, Pauline Griffin (Tom Henley), her sister, Diana Ereth, her grandson, Izzaiah Moore, and numerous other family and friends.

Rachael was born in Olympia on May 25, 1953, and was the middle of three children. She attended schools in Tumwater, Olympia, and Clearwater.

As a child, she spent lots of time on the Clearwater River in Washington, as her dad worked for DNR in the 60s to help build the roads and campgrounds in that area. This became her heaven on earth, where she enjoyed camping, fishing, and, of course, swimming.

She was an amazing fiddle player; she enjoyed playing rock & roll and was able to sing and/or harmonize vocals while playing.

Rachael absolutely loved to swim. She looked forward to hot summer days so she could spend all her free time in the water. Her favorite swimming holes were the Deschutes River and Wards Lake in Olympia.

Rachael had a beautiful soul, and always light up a room. She had a positive attitude towards life, which was felt by all who knew her. She was loved dearly and will forever be in our hearts.

Rachael is preceded in death by her husband David “Tom” Pearce, her father Charles ‘Chuck’ Griffin, her younger brother, Michael Griffin, and her once-in-a-lifetime dog, Munch.

A Celebration of Life in her memory will be held at Kenneydell Park in Olympia on Saturday, September 21st, at 1:00 pm.