Michelle Jamie Raymond

It is with profound sadness and eternal love that we announce the passing of Michelle Jamie Raymond, who left us peacefully on April 8, 2024, after a short illness.

She was known for her love of family and dogs, as well as her generosity, humor, intelligence and adventurous spirit. At age 5, she taught her 3-year-old brother Matt to read.

Michelle was born on Oct. 13, 1968, in Duluth, Minn. She grew up in St. Michael, Minn., and Thermopolis, Wyo., before moving in 1985 to the Bay Area in California. Most recently, she lived in Vallejo, Calif., beginning in 2015.

She attended Hot Springs County High School in Thermopolis and graduated from Antioch High School in Antioch, Calif. She received a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and an MBA in 2013 from Saint Mary’s College of California. She had been a professional in the wine industry since 1996, most recently as a brand portfolio and pricing manager since 2018 at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines.

Michelle enjoyed many athletic pursuits, including golf and sailing. She was active with Soroptimist International of Vallejo and the Glen Cove Yacht Club.

In her final days, she was surrounded by her loving family, reminiscing and joking about their lives together and singing songs from her childhood — most notably, the lullaby “Guardian Angels,” written by Harpo Marx.

Survivors include her mother, Jamie McDougall, of Vallejo; father, Michaela Raymond, of Talmoon, Minn.; brothers, Matt Raymond of Washington, D.C., Patrick Raymond of Denver, Colo., James Raymond of Las Vegas, Nev., and Anthony Bekker of Sparks, Nev.; sister, Kaitlyn Bekker of Virginia, Minn.; son, Zachary Sturgeon of San Diego, Calif., daughter, Zoe Sturgeon of Patton, Calif.; grandson, Riley Bellegarde; and her dogs, Ahroo and Rufus.

Michelle’s guardian angels have taken her by the hand and now will show her paradise.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that people make donations to their local pet sanctuary. A memorial service will be held at a future date.