Rikki Michelle Ranieri, loving mother, daughter, niece, cousin, aunt, and friend to many, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, on the night of a full moon, August 27, 2026, at the age of 43. She was born in Winfield, IL, on January 22, 1983.

Rikki is survived by her sons, Eligh Ambrose Arellano and Silas Emerson Arellano, her mother, Karen Dugo, her father, Ron Ranieri, her stepmother, Betty Lowe, her aunt and uncle Debra and Robert Korzenski, her uncle Philip Dugo and aunt Kimberly Gurtler, her aunt Julie Dugo, many cousins and nieces and nephews and her extended family.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Benjamin and Betty Jane Dugo, and Alfred and Mary Ranieri, and her uncle Michael Dugo.

Rikki graduated from Schaumburg High School in 2001. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology at DePaul University and went on to attend the University of Hawaii for her master’s program. She so loved the people and the culture of the island. After doing internship work on the island, she changed direction and attended the National University of Health Sciences and became a massage therapist.

Her true love and joy came from being a loving and devoted mother to her two boys who brought her endless pride and happiness. Her love for the natural world brought her to enrolling the boys in a nature-based school where she eventually became employed.

Rikki loved gardening, planting flowers and native plants brought her so much joy. She enjoyed music and late-night ghost story podcasts. She had a special gift of great patience and listening and encouraging others. The wisdom and strength she carried through her long health battle was truly admirable. She always had a smile and kind words for everyone she met, her humor brought laughter everywhere she went. Her light and her love have touched so many hearts. Her spirit will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed by her loving family and friends.

An outdoor celebration of her life will be held on a future date.