Rachel Haggerty

Rachel Haggerty

On December 20, 2022, our big sister, Rachel lost her hard fight with cancer.  Rachel was born May 22, 1968 to Tom and Suzie Haggerty in Bozeman, Montana. She was the first of three daughters and was very independent and headstrong from birth.  She was the apple of her father’s eye and had adventure stitched well into her character.

Rachel attended kindergarten through high school in Bozeman. Making many lifelong friends and participants in future worldly endeavors.  Rachel had really wanted to attend Cornell College in Ithaca, NY after attending a camp there. But was not to be and she went on and graduated from Montana State University – Bozeman in business.

Rachel worked restaurant jobs during high school and college including cooking under her uncle Jack. She spent many summers cooking at Ball Aerospace in Boulder, CO while living with Jack, Aunt Pam, and their daughter Jordan.  All those skills paid off as Rachel was well known for throwing amazing dinner parties with all of her friends at home or while traveling.

She moved to Virginia shortly after graduating to start a job with EDS. She lived with her Aunt Ruthie for a short while before getting her own abode. Again, she made so many connections and friends during her time with EDS. One EDS project was in Denver, Colorado which led Rachel and a great group of co-workers to fall in love with Colorado. Rachel and most of that group permanently moved to Colorado Springs around 1991.  One great EDS job took her to Paris for World Cup Soccer. She was able to see opera singer Luciano Pavarotti perform under the Eiffel Tower and several of her friends were able to join her there to celebrate her 30th birthday.

Rachel’s circle went beyond basic friendships.  So many of her friend’s children became like nieces and nephews to her, calling her auntie Rach! Fond memories of Chocolate Easter Cake breakfasts and hiding under the “table forts” during blizzards.  She had an amazing relationship with all her nephews. Rachel was by far the fun Aunt – from driving the golf cart, hiking, shooting off fireworks, and coconspirator in pranks on each other, she was up for it all for those kiddos.  Rachel was a mentor, role model, inspiration, friend, and excellent advice giver.

While living in Colorado Springs she enjoyed soccer, golf, home remodeling, skiing, cooking and travel!  Even as Rachel changed companies a few times over the years, the Springs remained home.  Rachel was always in the technology field and making new friends wherever she worked or went.  Rachel also remodeled not only her own home, rentals, and flips, but projects for friends as well. Rachel could do almost anything. She had an amazing engineering mind that was always open to learning and trying something new.

In 2018 & 2019, Montana was calling her home. She wanted more time with the Haggerty side of the family as well. With her bevy of friends, Rachel found an amazing property next to the river near Four Corners. Coincidentally, it was a childhood family friend’s home with many good memories. She began the renovations in 2020 updating this property into a beautiful short term rental property. Rachel also was able to build her dream loft on the property.  Many friends and family joined Rachel in and during the renovations while enjoying the beauty of the area and of course, right out the door amazing fishing opportunities.

Unfortunately, Rachel was diagnosed with stage four cancer in November 2021. Rachel wasn’t one to lay about, so she aggressively fought back.  Rachel sought out treatment both in Bozeman and at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. Many friends and family surrounded her in care, making sure she had company at chemo appointments, food in the fridge, travel to Houston and always someone to have her back. She fought the cancer with all her strength and to the very end.  She was a strong, amazing woman. Her friends and family loved on her to the last breath.  To say Rachel will be dearly missed is an understatement, not a soul can fill her shoes and the footprints she left in so many hearts.

Rachel’s family and friends are planning a memorial lunch in Colorado Springs on January 28th, 2022, as well as additional celebration of her life and love in Bozeman, MT in August. Please let us know if you would like further details to join us. In the meantime, photos and memories and contact information can be shared with us at https://www.craggs.net/rachel/