Elaine Richert

Elaine Richert (85), of Casper, passed away peacefully on the evening of Thurs. Jan. 25th, at Shepherd of the Valley engulfed in the love of her daughter & granddaughter after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Elaine was born Aug. 13th 1932 in Seattle, WA. to Ray & Marie Vaughan, but was raised in Modesto, CA. She later married & moved to Walnut Creek CA. where she had 2 daughters Denise, Kim, & a son Matt. She was a wonderful stay at home mom but the children grew up & moved away to start lives & family's of their own. She then took a job at the SF Chronicle where she worked until she retired. Her oldest daughter Denise, moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where she married & had 2 boys Kyle & Robbie. Her 2nd daughter Kim moved to Wyoming & had a son Tony and a daughter Mandy. After visiting both Florida & Wyoming when her grandchildren were born she fell in love with the wide open space of Wyoming & decided to make Casper her home in 1994 to be near her daughter & granddaughter. She worked for many years at the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra & was head usher for all the concerts, which she thoroughly enjoyed being a lover of music, art, & culture. She also had her own business teaching both Yoga & Tai-Chi classes at Casper College & other Fitness Clubs in Casper. She was quite proud of her certifications in these fields getting to go to Hawaii twice to study with the Grand Master. Her favorite phrase was "Do what you love & the money will come." Elaine volunteered for several charities & had endless energy, never showing signs of slowing down even into her 80's. She could be found riding her bicycle up Garden Creek, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking one of the many trails on Casper Mountain her favorite place to be, taking beautiful photos of nature along the way. She also enjoyed going to the Beacon every now & then to kick up her heels on some good country dancing. She was definitely a "Free Spirit" who was confident in who she was & enjoyed life to the fullest!!! Elaine is preceded in death by her parents Ray & Marie Vaughan & her oldest daughter Denise O'Donnell. She is survived by her older sister Gerri Smith of CA; daughter Kim Muckley & granddaughter Mandy Windsor both of Casper; a son Matt Richert of CA.; two grandsons Kyle O'Donnell & Robbie O'Donnell both of FL.; a grandson Tony Paull of OR.; a granddaughter Jessica Richert & a grandson Michael Richert both of CA. Her granddaughter Mandy best described her... "She spoke for those who didn't have a voice... loved without limits... and always pushed back. She walked to the beat of her own drum, shined with brilliance & empowered woman even in the days it wasn't popular." She was very loved & will be greatly missed by many.... There will be no service at her request. Instead she asked that you give a donation to one of her favorite charities listed below & remember to be happy & live life to the fullest!!! Alzheimer's Association 2232 Dell Range Blvd. Cheyenne, WY. 82009 Wyoming Symphony Orchestra 225 S. David Casper, WY. 82601 National Trails Center 1501 N. Poplar Casper, WY. 82601 Meals on Wheels 1760 E. 12th Str. Casper, WY. 82601 Casper Mtn. Trails Center 9301 Casper Mtn. Rd. Casper, WY. 82601 Donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association 2232 Dell Range Blvd. #220, Cheyenne WY 82009 Tel: 1-307-316-2892 Web: http://alz.org Meals On Wheels 1760 E. 12th Street, Casper WY 82601 Tel: 1-307-265-8659 Wyoming Symphony Orchestra 225 S. David Suite B, Casper WY 82601 Tel: 1-307-266-1478 Web: http://wyomingsymphony.org/support