Rebecca Chaney-Riggins

Jul 13, 1956 -

Oct 25, 2020

Rebecca passed away peacefully, at the age of 64, on Oct. 25, 2020, at home in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her family. At her request, there will be no service.

Rebecca was an Alaska woman through and through, arriving from Ohio with her parents Van and Alice and brother David in Old Harbor in 1959. She also lived in Quizinkie, Egegik, Manokoktak and Dillingham before settling in Anchorage. As children of teachers it was important that they attend church and practice the religion of the villages we lived in. Rebecca always identified with, and said, that in her heart she was Russian Orthodox.

She graduated salutatorian of her class at Dillingham High School. She attended Tiffin University, where she earned an Associate in Business Technology and the University of Portland where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration.

At 14, she got a job at the bulk fuel plant in Dillingham. From then on, she was hooked on accounting and working. She retired from Anchorage Water and Waste Water. Her crowning achievement, and the one that filled her with pride, was starting and owning ReLy Tax Service, where she was an Enrolled Agent. She always said that when it came to taxes being an EA was better than being a CPA. She enjoyed attending conferences and classes to stay up to date on the latest tax law changes. Her skills and knowledge earned her appreciation and admiration of many of her clients.

In May 1983, Rebecca met her husband Lyle Riggins on a Reeve Aleutian Airways flight. They talked all of the way from Shemya to Anchorage and from that point on they were inseparable. They married in January 1984.

Rebecca loved her dogs: BC, Sebaka, Connor, Lucky and Keisha. All of her dogs were rescues. Any dog that found their way into her home won the lottery, they never wanted for anything.

Rebecca was diagnosed with stage 4 fallopian tube cancer 3 years ago. After her diagnosis she immediately closed her beloved ReLy Tax. She faced cancer with optimism and courage, while in typical Rebecca pragmatic fashion told her family that there were no guarantees.

Rebecca was never angry about her diagnosis. Instead, she focused on packing fun, happiness and adventures into whatever time she left. She scheduled many trips in between her treatments. While on one of those trips she found companionship again with Bruce Irwin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Riggins; and her dad, Van O. Chaney.

She is survived by her mom, Alice Chaney; siblings, David, Mary Ann and Melissa; and honorary family member, Sookran Oh. She is also survived by her stepsons, William (Diane), James (Cindia), Michael (Dario) and Lyle (Cecelia); six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The holidays will never be the same without her and her cookies and fresh baked pies.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal rescue of your choice.