Machelle Ruth (Rath) Gifford

Machelle Ruth (Rath) Gifford sailed into Heaven with her dad as her harbor master. Through strong-will and fight, she weathered the storm of cancer for over 5 years and she answered her calling on Monday, October 5, 2015. She was a loving and laughing daughter, mother, wife, sister and aunt whose life’s chart on Earth ended too soon at the young age of 52.

Machelle was a definition of simple things in life. She knew what made her happy – her family (always being the first to plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings) – the outdoors (San Juan Island beaches and sitting by a campfire) and giving for everyone (her children, her mom and dad, Bob Hintze, her husband, her brother and sister, many nieces and nephews and yes, her Dogs). Yet, she also loved the adventures to Mexico with family and friends in her journey. And in the end, her good-hearted soul sailed her away.

Machelle was born November 28, 1962 to Harvey and Karen (Raymond) Rath. She grew up in Naches Heights on the family orchard, graduating from Highland High School in 1981.

She married Ken Buchanan and together, they raised three children.

She worked for US Bank, Westside Physical Therapy, and in the end she used her care-giving soul as an in-home care giver.

She and her husband Scott were nearing 20 years of love while residing on Naches Heights.

Machelle is survived by her husband Scott; children Nicole and Jacob; mother Karen Rath of Yakima, WA; brother Craig and family (Ellie, Conner and Lane Rath) of Yakima, WA; sister Amy and brother-in-law Jack Besst and family (Dawson, Carson and Emerson Besst) of Maple Valley, WA; mother-in-law Betty Gifford of Yakima, WA (and the entire Gifford family which includes Scott’s brothers, sisters and nieces and nephews).

She was preceded in death by her dad, Harvey Rath and step-father Robert Hintze.

Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in Machelle’s name to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church or North Star Lodge, care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.

The family would like to thank the staff at North Star Lodge, especially Dr. Ha, as well as the staff at Cottage in the Meadow for the excellent care they showed to Machelle.

To share a memory of Machelle, visit www.keithandkeith.com.

To my beautiful wife, you will always be loved and never forgotten – your loving husband Scott.