Rita Pierce, a free spirit, born November 30, 1919, in Yakima, WA, started her travels in Seattle, WA, and met the man of her dreams, Dale Duane Pierce, who enlisted in San Francisco, CA, in the Navy, during WWII.

When Dale’s time in the service was completed, they settled in Seattle, WA, and adopted two beautiful children. Rita worked for several different jobs before realizing that being a wife and mother was her favorite profession. Neighborhood children would flock for her great cookies on a summer day. She also loved to write poetry, teach arts and make old fashioned home-cooked meals for her family and friends. Ocean fishing trips with the family was time well spent.

Amazing enough Rita ascended July 18, 2004, to be with her life long partner Dale Pierce the same day they were married 64 years this day. God bless you Grandma, Momma, Rita Pierce and Happy Anniversary, Love You Both. Rita was and is the best woman put on this Earth.

She was preceded in death by her son, Lyle Pierce, and life long partner Dale Duane Pierce.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter Kathy Hedger & son-in-law Curt Hedger, grandsons Charles Hedger, Chris Hedger & wife Heather Hedger, great-granddaughters Adrianna & Michaela, granddaughter Shelly Weinberger and husband Dan Weinberger, granddaughter Carla Pierce, great-grandchildren Shayla, Jenna & Cody and all her nieces and nephews. We will love you and miss you Beautiful!

A memorial service will be Friday, July 23, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Richland Nazarene Church, 2500 Jericho Road, Richland, WA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Richland First Church of the Nazarene Missions Field or Food Pounding.