Ranae Millie (Swendseid) Wright
March 5,1946 - December 18, 2024
Ranae Millie (Swendseid) Wright passed away on December 18, 2024. Ranae was born in Los Angeles, CA on March 5th,1946. She was one of five children of Russell and Billie Swendseid. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Russ T, and husband Jim Wright. She leaves behind her sisters, Jackie Dudley, Barbara
(Alistair) Hunter, and Kayomi (Frank) Platzer. Ranae did not have children but was a very loving, outgoing, and generous Aunt who embodied a sort of “Auntie Mame” for her niece and nephews, Edward and Jil Hunter and Craig and Eric Dudley, and Darin and Kevin Platzer. Ranae also enjoyed spoiling her grand-nieces and nephews: Ashton and Megan Gilbert and Peyton and Ellie Platzer.
Ranae was raised in Downey in the house that her parents had built on 4th place, in 1949. She attended Rio Hondo Elementary School, North Middle School, and graduated from Downey’s Warren High School. Ranae went on to attend the University of the Pacific where she received her degree in Economics. Ranae loved college life and remained good friends with her college roommate Anne Sanders. Ranae credited her father for giving her her first interest in business. After college Ranae began working in personnel research for the Bank of America. In seven years’ time she filled every position in that department and moved on to international compensation.
By 1979, she was one of 70 women vice-presidents (out of 1,300 vice-presidents) of The Bank of America. She was responsible for the salary and benefit arrangements for 10,000 employees across 75 countries overseas. She spent the majority of her career in international human resources, primarily compensation and benefits.
Her career led her to travel extensively across Asia, South America, and Europe. She lived in Japan for 5 years while managing human resources in Asia for Bank of America.
Ranae was very active in her church, St. Mark’s Luthern in San Francisco. Being very service oriented, Ranae was always very curious and motivated to use her skills and talents to help serve the less fortunate, and she was passionate about humanitarian efforts. During the span of her adult life she spent time working with nonprofits, both domestically and internationally. Early on she spent 8 years tutoring underprivileged youth in the San Francisco area. She served on the board of Lutheran World Relief and was also made a member of the Management committee for the Office for Administration and Finance of the Lutheran Church of America. In 1984 she was made a University of the Pacific Alumni Fellow.
At her 50th college reunion, Ranae said, “ I never found economics a dismal science, but rather a window through which to view, and even change, a fascinating world.”
Her love of travel and interest in learning about other cultures were expressed through her talents in designing her interior spaces beautifully with artifacts and artwork from her travels. Ranae also loved animals and was devoted to her dogs, Buster, Blackie, and Pippa.
Ranae will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, outgoing and spirited personality, and her endless generosity. She will live on in our hearts forever.