FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Catherine “Tappy” Cecelia Rish
12/30/1945 — 08/18/2013
From Kennewick, WA | Born in Yakima, WA
Catherine “Tappy” Cecelia Rish
Catherine "Tappy" Cecelia Rish, born December 30, 1945, in Yakima, WA, to George and Vermell Noel, passed away surrounded by friends and family on August 18, 2013. She was the baby of her family, with older siblings Carol, Chuck and Connie. Tappy regularly shared fond childhood memories of living on her family's mint farm in Prosser, spending time at the cabin at Rock Creek, and working at the Ring-A-Ding drive in. She loved to tell the story of meeting her future husband, Steve, while "draggin' the ave" in Yakima with her friend Ginger Martin. They married in 1965 and later were blessed with their sons Mike and Nick. Tappy loved the outdoors, camping and boating with friends and family. Tappy and Steve bought their first party barge in the late 80's and spent countless weekends at Scooteney Lake with the Schulers and the Smileys. The tradition of vacationing at Banks Lake every summer started in 1989 and continued since. Each year was bigger and better thanks to Tappy & Carol creating themes, making custom t-shirts, and ultimately branding each year as its own event with personalized keepsakes for everyone there. Tappy always made sure each person was included and recognized. Everyone felt special if Tappy had anything to do with it. All the children in Tappy's life were treated with endless crafts and treats. She never traveled without glue, paper, markers, pipe cleaners, foam cutouts, window clings, popsicle sticks, you name it. Her motorhome was fondly nicknamed the "Sugar Shack" and all the kids knew where to go for a sweet treat. She was blessed with 4 grandchildren of her own, but all kids knew her as Grandma Tappy, regardless of their relationship to her. All of Tappy's "grandchildren" will cherish their fond memories of her and miss her greatly. As much as Tappy enjoyed her family time, she never hesitated to make time for herself and her girlfriends. She had many close girlfriends who planned regular get-togethers and girls' weekends. She was the one that made them laugh, whether she knew it or not. Tappy is survived by her husband, Steve Rish; sons Mike Becky Rish and Nick Teresa Rish; her grandchildren: Rachel, Jake, Baylor and Parker; her Aunt Sweetie; her many beloved nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, Bob, Molly and Rhiannon Kuespert who's love and support has been unending. Tappy Rish was mother, aunt, grandmother and friend to everyone she knew. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Catherine Rish should be made to Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation: PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145, or online at seattlechildrens.org. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 212 North Fourth Street in Yakima. A celebration of Tappy's life will be held after the services at the Monson Fruit Company property in Selah, 252 North Rushmore Road.
Love and miss you aunt tappy, my first memories and my best memories have always been with you, on the lake at your home. Christmas at your house is still my inspiration each year at mine. I’ve taken up sewing and quilting and thank you for all that you taught me especially in regards to creativity I learned more from you in creating than I did during my entire enrollment at art school. I have finally become confident in my makeup skills and thank you for this as well. I’ve never felt more loved than when I was with you. I’ve recently found myself an avid you collector and whenever I get a weird look or question about my toy room I can shrug it off and think” my aunt tappy did it,so it’s gotta be alright” lol there’s so much more to thank you for and attribute to my time with you. Nothing is the same without you but for the time you kept the family a family and together it was wonderful you truly made the world a beautiful place on every level. All that is good in me I fully believe is from you my grandma and aunt Carol reminding me that my own bond with my sister Whitney is to be cherished and held onto tightly. Love you forever thank you for everything.
I’m sorry it took me so long to keep in touch. Time goes by too fast. I remember the good times we had growing up until we had to move to Olympia for my dads work. Remember making donut holes, shooting pool downstairs,drinking coke and peanut crackers. I felt bad picking on Nick and Jack but they were the younger brothers. I always thought your parents were the coolest, they alway had fun and had great family parties. I feel your loss. ..
I’ve been living in Ca. For the last 36years, family,grandkids, you name it.
Call sometime,or not I’ll understand.
Jon Lane
468 Edna Ct. Benicia,Ca.
707-590-3340 cell
707-750-5048
fastlane350@comcast.net
Steve and family: Sorry to hear of Tappy’s passing. I have many fond memories in our younger days because of her, I will always remember them and greatful to have known her.
Tappy made these place a happier place. If you had a chance to meet her on the street or in a store. You just had a smile on your face and was so glad to see her. One of gods best work was done here.God bless you Tappy. I know I’ve been enriched by knowing her.
Steve and family: Sorry to hear of Tappy’s passing. I have many fond memories in our younger days because of her, I will always remember them and greatful to have known her.
Tappy made these place a happier place. If you had a chance to meet her on the street or in a store. You just had a smile on your face and was so glad to see her. One of gods best work was done here.God bless you Tappy. I know I’ve been enriched by knowing her.
Steve and Family. I am so sorry for your loss. Tappy was always so good to my dad and stepmom. They could not of had a better neighbor. I know they will miss her tremendously as will I. She was always so bubbly and full of energy and so kind. You are all in my prayers. May God Bless all of you.
So many found memories of spending time with Tappy and her family. Jake and Tappy always made Salisa and I feel welcome to all of the family trips. We were saddened to hear of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Respectfully, Mark and Salisa
Tappy was my best friend and I will miss her so much!!! Love and blessings to her family and especially the loves of her life, Rachel, Jake, Baylor and Parker.
Warm hugs for all of you, especially you Steve. I know your hearts are so broken right now.
You made her life so full and she could not have turned into the very beautiful woman she was without an extraordinarily loving husband and 2 great sons, all of whom she has always been so proud of and rightly so.
My love to you and your families. I will keep you in my prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss. I will always remember the fun we had together and what an exceptional woman Tappy was.
Steve, Mike, Nick & Family-I am so sorry for your loss. Tappy was a wonderful women and I was so blessed to have known her. The memories have been flooding back along with a lot of tears. I don’t know what Star and I would have done without Steve and Tappy and the house on Cornell Ave. when we were in high school. I did so love this women she was always “Tappy”, how lucky I am to have know this great person. My prayers are with all of you-take care of each other
My heart goes out to the whole family. Tappy will be deeply missed by all. I enjoyed the times we were able to spend getting to know her. Special thoughts to Mike, Becky, Rachel and Jake.
Seve I am so sorry for your loss. I know that Tappy will be missed she was such a great friend and person. The stories I could tell of our youth and the fun times we had. Since hearing the passing of Tappy I have cried and laughed alot. My prayers are with you and the family. I loved her.
Standing on the seashore – a ship spreads her white sails to the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch, until she hangs, like a speck of white cloud, just where the sea and sky come together.
Oh No! She is Gone!
Gone? But gone where?
Gone from sight. That is all.
She is diminished only in my sight. Not within her.
And just at the moment, when “She is Gone.”
There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
“Here She Comes!”
Having Tappy as a friend and a neighbor was truly a blessing.
Steve and family.Sorry to hear about “Tappy’s” passing. Wont ever forget the 6 months we were roommates in mid 90’s. What a great person she was; made me feel right at home in my own house.made all my family members feel like they were hers.. She will be surely missed
Tappy was not only a coworker but a very dear friend. She cared about everyone she met, I’ve felt it from the moment I met her almost 10 Years ago. She was always there to listen and share a hug or laugh not to mention the many lbs I gained from all her sweet treats. I enjoyed every minute spent with her not only at work but outside of work too. I will miss greatly, it is not the same at Bargreen without her.
Tappy had a special gift for making everyone feel welcome and I am not a bit surprised to read about all of the lives she touched with her kind and giving heart! Gone but never forgotten!
steve & family, great memories of a very special lady that touched many a life. God Bless you and your Family. johnny & betsy
Guestbook for
Catherine “Tappy” Cecelia Rish