MaryAnne Reichle

MaryAnne Reichle 
February 8, 2026

MaryAnne Reichle, 76, was born in Seattle on June 12, 1949, and passed away on February 8, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer and its debilitating side effects.

MaryAnne was an avid sports fan, and not just a spectator. She played slow-pitch softball for many years, going to the Nationals in 1976. Afterward, she volunteered at Seattle Parks and Recreation centers as a volleyball referee, organized softball fitness classes and then played soccer as a goalie on both over-30 and over-40 women's teams. Still "too young" to slow down, she went on to coach an over-50 women's soccer team to a first-place finish in the west coast Senior Olympics.

During those same years, she enlisted and served fourteen years in the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Lawton, attended Drill Sergeant School, and became one of the first women to serve as a Drill Sergeant, finishing third in her class behind two men.

She began her working career at the Federal Reserve Bank after graduating from Cleveland High School in 1965. Two years later, she went to Peoples Bank, which is now U.S. Bank. After 15 years there in the credit card department, she decided to work for herself, teaming up with her best friend and partner, MaryAnne Arena. Together they designed original coffee-themed T-shirts under the brand LATTEEs and also provided custom design and printing for schools and businesses.

When the opportunity arose to enter the emerging coffee industry in 1995, she joined Starbucks at the Seattle Roasting Plant as a packaging machine operator, later moving into Starbucks R&D working on new coffee products and eventually becoming the SKU creator for all coffee products

In 2010, MaryAnne took a year-long sabbatical from Starbucks and traveled with her partner, planning what to do next. In 2011, she decided to retire and marry her best friend of fifty years, MaryAnne, and together they continued to share many wonderful years traveling, helping family, and creating new adventures.

In 2023, her health began to decline. She was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, underwent surgery, and began treatment. She remained hopeful and positive, putting her trust in God to guide her.

The world feels emptier without this beautiful woman, who told her stories and made us laugh every time we gathered. She was a generous, loving person who always gave her best to everyone she knew. She was our North Star and the wind beneath our wings.

MaryAnne was preceded in death by her parents, Mary J. and Arthur Reichle, and her brother, Raymond. She is survived by her partner and spouse, MaryAnne Arena.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cascade Room at Lake View Cemetery, 1554 15th Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98112. Private burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Medic One, Pasado's Safe Haven, Mary's Place, or the Swedish Hospital Cancer Center.

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Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home ~ Lake View - Seattle, Washington