Rita Rae Taylor Catron Obituary (1950 - 2026)

Rita Rae Taylor was born on December 4, 1950. She peacefully departed our world on March 8, 2026, at her home with her wife, Connie, and her dog, Cricket by her side, surrounded by loved ones. Rita grew up in Gary, Indiana, with six siblings, including her "favorite" sister, Rhonda. She joined the Navy following high school, stationed in Millington, Tennessee. She was honorably discharged after three years of service. Eventually making her way to the Pacific NW to work for "Ma Bell", which she thoroughly enjoyed, until they merged and her location closed for business, at which time she decided to attend Dental Hygiene School in Yakima, WA. Later working as a hygienist at Gravbrot Family Dental Clinic, until her retirement. Rita loved the ocean. She enjoyed combing the beaches for sea glass, while their dog Buffy frolicked in the sand. She enjoyed traveling. Loved to be the driver on cross country trips she and Connie took to visit family and friends. Always making sure to stop at a Casino or two along the way. Rita was a devoted wife to Connie, the love of her life. She was a loyal friend to many, and she loved her family very much. Rita will be dearly missed, and will remain in the hearts of all who loved her, forevermore.... "OUR STORY" By: Connie Catron You should know that I am not very good at expressing my feelings via the written word, but I feel like I want to share, just a few things, about life with my beautiful Rita Rae. When I first met Rita, I didn't really like her very much.... Then one hot summer day in June, 1994, we were somehow placed together in a raft (just us two) for a 3 hour river float on the Yakima River. For most of that afternoon we just talked and laughed. By the end of our three hour float I was so impressed by how confident and sweet she was. All I wanted was to see her again. Our first date was on July 4th that same year and we have been together every day since. Nearly 32 glorious years! Rita loved to travel and always wanted to be the driver. She just loved driving, really, no matter where we were headed, even if it was just to the mailbox...lol Needless to say, I have hardly driven at all in the past 32yrs. Which has always been alright with me, except for now, I am practically having to "learn" to drive all over again! Rita always loved our life being "simple". She would spend hours on the beach searching for sea glass, creating mini competitions to see who could find the most sea glass or the most interesting pieces. She rarely won...lol... But that didn't matter, she just loved being there, "present" in the moment, with me, our dog, and our friends, who often accompanied us. Another love of Rita's was "stargazing". She enjoyed looking up at the stars, sitting in the moonlight, just enjoying the night. She loved to watch for falling stars and would count how many she got to see on any particular night. When she couldn't be outside she would light candles every night. She really loved her candles, and "more" was always better. Our trips to Pacific City were always special. Joining KC and Tinka at their beach house. The three of them would all gather out on the deck, with wine in hand (of course) to watch the ocean. Hoping for a whale spout to appear. Or maybe even the chance to see a pod of whales traveling south for the winter, or perhaps even north for the summer! In the middle of the night the "girls" would get up and drive to the perfect spot to lay out and watch the stars shoot across the sky... (I thought they were crazy to be out in the cold). Now, I cherish the memories of those moments. Priceless. One of our most memorable times was when our friends Judy and Teri asked us if we would house sit for two ladies from CA who wanted to go to their home in Mexico for 4 months. Of course we said "yes" and Rita, myself, and Shirley went to house sit for Bonnie and Rhonda. After the first time, we fell in love with their place in Cayucas and with them. We would house sit pretty regularly for them up until Rita became too ill to make the trip. Rita, Shirley and I would have contests to see who could find the biggest Starfish! Bonnie and Ronda got us hooked on the sea glass. Needless to say, after years of house sitting and endless hours of collecting sea glass on the beach, Rita acquired huge jars, and then more jars, of sea glass. Rita’s time away from the beach, was often spent fixing up small glass containers, of her cherished treasures, to share with friends back home. We had so many wonderful friends over the years. One group in particular, about 18 of us, although I could be missing a few. We call them "Our Village". We used to go to lunch just about every Tuesday, where I would sit like a "bump on a log" and Rita would always be going around the table to each and every one, sharing love and laughter. Always interested in what was going on in each of their lives, You see, being Rita's friend meant something. She never took her friendships for granted, She sincerely valued each and every one. As Rita's illness progressed, she became weaker and unable to drive long distances. We were no longer able to make our trips to Cayucas, or to Pacific City. So, our dear friend KC made the trip from Pacific City, to pick us up and take us back to Pacific City, so we could visit with her and Tinka one last time at their beach house. You see, Rita didn't trust my driving!... lol… We were so happy to be there and Rita was even able to make it to Moe's one last time, and enjoyed our favorite seafood by the ocean. When Rita's illness made it difficult for her to manage the stairs at our apartment, our friend Jan said to us both "it's time to come home" and so we did. For several months, Rita did pretty well, at "the farm", until she developed pneumonia sometime in late January 2026. Rita was hospitalized and thereafter entered "Hospice". Jan, with her generous heart, offered her home. A safe, warm, and loving environment. A place for all of us to simply “be” together and support each other. Jan and I rearranged things in the house so that Rita could have her hospital bed next to the big picture windows in the living room. Rita loved to watch me feed the birds out at the bird feeders and she could watch the "girls" (chickens) too. She could see the stars at night, she would watch the moon bathe the farm in its beautiful light, and most of all she loved that she could see the Cross, at the cemetery, light up every night. Rita and I could never have gotten through this difficult time without Kimberly, who's been Rita's dear friend for more than 40yrs. Rita looked forward to Kimberly's arrival every day. She trusted Kimberly, so much, to take care of her, and to help plan her care with the hospice nurses. It was hard for us to see her suffering so much. Jan, Kimberly, and myself, each went through our “moments”. Watching as our stubborn Rita, who would decline pain medications, and say “not right now” whenever we would offer her something, or ask if she needed anything. Rita controlled nearly every aspect of her hospice care. She was great at giving “orders” when she needed something, and forever questioned us whenever we were administering her treatments, and medications. She was like “What's that”, “What's the dose”, “how much are you giving me” and “why” “No” "ok" “why”... Rita was always in control of her care, and her destiny, to the very end. Which is exactly how we wanted it. One thing she always said, was “thank you”, followed by a “love you”, every time. It was hard for us to see her become weaker and weaker every day. But, all the while, Rita never complained, not once. Her only concern was that I would get "things in order", and that I would allow Kimberly to help me "get things done" after she was gone. And then she would make Kimberly "promise" to "make sure" that I got "things done" lol Thankfully, our friend Elaine made visits (and phone calls) with Rita, which helped her feel closer to God. Rita would always say "have Elaine say a prayer" and Elaine would. Sometimes Rita would say "have Elaine say a prayer" "a short one"...lol… and Elaine would. We all enjoyed Elaine's prayers. We all needed them more than we would admit to ourselves or one another. The atmosphere almost always seemed to lighten following a prayer and we would embrace each other, sincerely. KC and Tinka came in early February and stayed a few days. Rita’s smile couldn’t have been wider. She was so excited to see them both. Their presence brought with it “a sense of “family” to the atmosphere. It felt nice. Toward the end of February, Mary came to town, and stayed several days. She brought her smile, and her jigsaw puzzle skills...lol...she brought love and friendship most of all, and we certainly needed that. Rita had many other visitors during her final 5wks at home. She enjoyed and sincerely valued each and every one. My Dear Rita, My heart is broken. I miss you oh so much. The only thing, right now, that brings me solace is how peaceful you looked at the funeral home. No more pain in your Beautiful Face. No more suffering my Darling Wife. Rest in Peace Sweetheart. I Love You, Connie