Hello,
Please let me pass on my condolences to Rachel’s partner , family and loved ones. I was deeply upset to just find out about her passing because after many years I was looking her up as I hoped to be in San Francisco in the near future. 
As a former g/f I have many memories and cherish a poster she did for one of my films.
My name is kristiene Clarke.
Run free Rachel xxx

Rachel, so sad to hear you’ve gone. You were a bright ray of fun, madness and laughter in my life  in London at the end of the eighties. Sending my deepest condolences to all of your family. 

I was so sorry to hear of Rachel's passing. When I hear her name it always brings a smile because of who she was. You couldn't be in her presence long before the laughter started. 
Once a year in January we hold a womens retreat. Rachel was always a part of it. We were delighted when after she moved to Calif. she would fly in for it. The new women were really impressed and after they came to know Rachel they really wished she still lived in Seattle and looked forward to seeing her each year. She brought so much joy and sharing at depth to us all.
She will not be forgotten but will live on in our stories in our fellowship.
Thoughts and prayers to the family

My strongest memories of this joyful human were nights at the January Women’s Retreat. Year after year, I could always track down my peeps by the sound of Rachael’s storytelling voice, their beautiful accent and the peals of laughter from whatever room they’d gathered friends in. To think some nights I resented the noise! Thank you, Racheal, for teaching me there is never enough laughter, that it’s much, much more important than sleep. Enjoy your time in the source. I hope you come back soon. 

I hadn’t seen Rachel for twenty years and we hadn’t been in touch for ages, and it’s hard to believe. For a few years at the end of the nineties we were good friends and did a lot together. They were excited and interested, fun and chatty, and a joy to hang out with. They were encouraging, inspiring, patient and helpful, but had no time for the nonsense that was common in the “new media industry”.

The last time I saw them was in New York shortly after they moved to America, something they’d wanted to do for some time. They were happy and seemed so at home. It suited them. Although we fell gradually out of touch I always assumed that one day we’d reminisce together about all those movies and gigs, the dinners in Soho, the gallery visits, and the excellent holidays.

Even from this distance in time and space their passing leaves a big hole, and I can’t imagine how much everyone closer to them are feeling with this Rachel-shaped gap in their lives.

Forever I will hear your lilting sigh in my head anytime life gets me down saying "Remember.... this too shall pass".  Your laughter at the ridiculousness of life, your love of great food and great friends.  Your fierce competitiveness at Scrabble and laser-like focus at a jigsaw puzzle. You have a beauty from deep within your soul that shone out to light the rest of the world - and keeps shining even now.  I know you are somewhere - probably in jeans and a grey fleece - keeping your eye on us and making sure we remember all the many, MANY lessons you've taught us to make this world better each day than we found it.  And when the days seem hard, as they do now with you no longer in it - I know you would tell me that nothing in life can't be made better with a good cup of tea and beans on toast.  Thank you for everything.  Love you to the moon and back.

oh, Rachel. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t have had a better friend and guide all those years ago. You were Jerry, and I was lesbian George. Thank you for your love and friendship. Kris x 

Rachel had an immense impact on our lives. Rachel had an amazing sense of humor, making me laugh so many times. Rachel was kind and was always ready with a smile. Plus, Rachel was up for doing anything, including enjoying a few lively games of pinball. I will always cherish our wonderful memories. I will always be very appreciative that such an amazing person was a part of my life. You are greatly missed, Rachel.  
With lots of love,  
Andreea 

My first impression of Rachel was disbelief that this effervescent person could be real. But I was wrong. She was more than effervescent. She combined boundless energy with a deep, quiet compassion. Her gentle, caring spirt ineluctably drew the children to her like a proverbial magnet. They knew they were safe with her. But for the adults in the room: STAND BACK, she's HERE! Her entrance made the lights brighter and the hearts lighter. Her irresistible humor was a lubricant to the harsh realities of life for those with whom she intersected. Her razor-sharp mind penetrated complexity and enlightened her willing auditors. Her cumulative gifts and contributions made her something of a messianic figure in a world that desperately needed her. We didn't know Rachel nearly long enough, but we're sure glad we had her in our family for the past 13 years. As we celebrate Rachel we are reminded of the exhortation of William Shakespeare who prompted us to "Love that well which thou must leave 'ere long." 

I am very sorry to hear of Rachel's passing.  I had the pleasure of working with her in lower Manhattan.  In a sea of very focused work-o-holics I was always amazed at her breath of perspectives and cultural microcosm's.   She was one of those people opened windows and shed light that I was often to busy to see on my own.  Rest in Peace knowing you made it better for all of us left to open the windows and seek knowledge in the unconventional! ~ Jeff


I had the honor and pleasure of working with Rachel at AppD. Even when I knew to expect it, Rachel's positivity and energy still amazed me. They knew what we needed to do to transform our product and never wavered in advocating and driving us towards that vision. They were realistic, too - setting achievable goals, not overpromising, but still stretching. Rachel was an incredible leader - they saw into people quite deeply, understanding their strengths and helping them grow with empathy and encouragement. It's excruciating when the good ones are taken from us - I can't imagine your pain and my heart goes out to you. I hope it's some small comfort that so many of us were touched by Rachel and will take that positive spirit with us.

I’m so thankful to have worked on Rachel’s team while in person because just their presence in the SF office was an intense spark of positivity. I remember seeing Rachel for the first time-  they were so present and engaged in their interaction, which I discovered was part of who Rachel was in all their interactions. They led with strength, compassion, empathy, and a sense of adventure. Their confidence in me and their guidance enabled me to grow as a leader.

I cherish our impromptu talks over tea. Their sense of humor, the party parrots, the “cool nods” in the hallway, their laugh - thinking of just little moments with Rachel bring such joy. Rachel told me how doing puzzles helped them get through difficult times, so after hearing the impossible news of their passing, I got out a huge moon puzzle to try to process the news - to have pieces fit together because reality wasn’t making sense. It isn't right that they are not here. I cannot say goodbye to Rachel, and instead, I’m going to carry their radiant spirit with me. 

Rachel and I didn't know each other well, but over the year or two that we worked at AppD together, we had probably 20-40 elevator rides together.

Every time we got a moment, Rachel and I would banter about all sorts of different topics.  I never got the impression that there was a challenge that could get her down.  I never got the impression that they had any sort of illness either -- they always had such a positive attitude about life.  Every time I walked away I always felt lighter and brighter!

It was such a shock to learn that this positive force not only had an illness they were battling but that the illness won.  I just want y'all to know that Rachel had a positive impact on me, and that I'll continue to carry Rachel's smile and determination as part of my own motivation for living.

Rachel was one of my favorite hiring managers to partner with. They led with empathy and demonstrated so much commitment to the design org at AppDynamics. Rachel was such a great partner to me in building out the org, and they always had such a bright energy even tackling the toughest of conversations. Rachel is someone I respect, admired, and feel fortunate I had the pleasure of working with them. They also worked tirelessly in helping for our partnership with Lesbians Who Tech and Pride@AppD, and I will forever be grateful for their resilience and commitment to fight for their community. I am saddened to hear about their passing and I am sending so much love and light to the family. They were one of a kind!

Rachel was an inspiring leader, a great listener, a team builder, yet was so humble.

They created a wonderful and loving team: she put me under their wing when I was lost. They took my idea seriously and gave me wise advice. 

I'll remember their down-to-earth frame of mind and carry it with me. Thank you, Rachel. We'll miss you dearly.

This sequence was taken on a work trip to London in 2019. We were all dressed to kill, just hitting the hotel lobby on our way to a day filled with customer visits and information sharing about our newly reimagined experience. Rachel was in their standard form - sublime, yet goofy and affable. What a wonderful friend and leader. Rest in peace Rachel.

Rachel once shared something with me that completely changed my personal and professional perspective. I shared with them my insecurity about going back to people leadership, that it was a weight, and that I was afraid I’d mess it up. 

Rachel replied, “I view team leading as a chance to create a version of the world I want to live in. I can’t be anything more or less than who I am. But I can create a space for my team, no matter how big or small, to reflect that better world we want together. The work will follow.”

I’ll never forget what they said and that will be my small part of their huge legacy that I will carry forward.

OBITUARY

Rachel Wynne Reynard

March 6, 1968 – October 3, 2021

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