Rachel Gugliemo was born in Fresno, CA on June 17, 1948, to Floyd and Evelyn (West) Downs. Rachel passed away on August 12, 2026, after a brief illness. She was the eldest of five children, and spent much of her childhood riding her horse, Cherokee. Throughout her life, Rachel was happiest when she was on horseback. She loved people and made friends everywhere she went.

She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1966 and attended Fresno City College. In 1969, she married Joseph Gugliemo in Carmel, CA, and the two recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. Rachel had two children; both of whom inherited her love of animals and art. She is a past president of the Assistance League of Fresno, and was employed by Fresno Unified School District, where she worked for 28 years at Bullard TALENT Elementary School. She enjoyed spending her retirement years with her horse and dear friends from the horse barn.

Rachel is survived by her husband, Joseph, daughter Dr. Stephanie Gugliemo Ory (Timothy), and son Anthony Gugliemo; siblings F. Charles Downs, Lindy Downs Ashley, Peggy Downs Burton, and Janet Downs Robertson, and her nephew, niece, and great-niece. She is also survived by her beloved horse, Dusty, her loving kitty Maxie, and her dear friends.

Services will be held on Thursday August 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Shrine of St. Therese, followed by a graveside service at St. Peter’s cemetery in Fresno, CA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Rachel’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Central California SPCA, or to the donor’s favorite charity.