Eileen Frances Richey

Eileen Frances Richey (Berger), born on November 28, 1950 in Butte, Montana, Passed away on May 8, 2025.

Daughter of Francis and Mary Berger, and a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Eileen married her husband Michael Richey in 1988.

Eileen grew up in Butte, Montana, graduating in 1969 from Butte High School.

She earned a Diploma in Executive Secretarial Studies from Butte Business College in 1971,

and worked for the State of Montana as a Secretary until 1978.

Eileen earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science in 1983 from Montana State University in Bozeman Montana.

During college Eileen interned with the U.S. Forest Service, and accepted a full time position after graduation. In her 31 years of dedication to the Forest Service, Eileen held roles in the Information Technology Department in 3 locations: Libby, Montana, Fort Collins, Colorado, and Portland, Oregon. Prior to her retirement in 2014, Eileen held the position of Program Manager.

Eileen’s deep religious convictions led her to join the Parrish of St. Anne Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon in 1988 shortly after moving to the area, where she developed a community of friends. She was very active in the Parrish as a liturgical minister, mass coordinator, religious educator, and organizer for church activities like Bunco and Soup Supper. She received the Catechist Certificate of Recognition for fifteen years of service in the Ministry of Religious Education in 2011.

Eileen was also a member of the City of Roses Kateri Circle, a group of Catholics predominantly fellow Native American that honor Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American Saint. With this group she participated in conferences, religious education, powwows, and bible sharing with fellow members.

Eileen also volunteered regularly with the local chapter of St. Vincent De Paul at their food bank located at St. Anne Catholic Church.

Eileen is survived by her husband Michael, son Nathan Richey, daughter-in-law Andrea Richey, grandson Arven Richey, granddaughter Sylphia Ke, sister Barbara Wichman, brother Joe Berger, along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her Parents, brothers Mike and Ed Berger.

A Mass service will be held June 9, 2025, at 1:00 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 1015 SE 182 Ave, Portland, OR. 97233

Burial will be at Gethsemani Cemetery, 11666 SE Stevens Rd. Happy Valley, OR.

Donations in lieu of flowers, can be sent to Tekakwitha Conference, 2225 North Bolton Ave., Alexandria, La. 71303-4408 or your local St. Vincent De Paul chapter in her name.

Funeral arrangements by Gethsemani Funeral Home, Happy Valley, Oregon