Rita Mecham, 87

Surrounded by family, Rita Marie Mecham, 87, passed away July 29, 2024, in Spokane following a long illness. Her physical strength and mental stamina amazed us all, doctors and nurses included. Rita loved life and truly lived it to the fullest. 

It was Jan. 4, 1937, in the “Silver Capital of the World” — Wallace, Idaho, that little red-headed Rita Marie first made her entrance “full of spit and vinegar,” as she would often say. Rita was the only child of Thomas and Anna Ghirardello (neé Sorkie) and a first-generation American of Italian and Canadian Slovak heritage. As a young girl, she spoke Italian with her father and was raised just outside Wallace in Black Cloud and later Silverton. Her deep roots in the rough and tumble Silver Valley of the mid-20th century would forever influence her life. 

While still a child, her father died in a workplace accident. Her mother would remarry Reco Albertini of Wallace. Many will recall how “Gramps” played a pivotal role in her life. Up until high school, Rita attended the Academy of Our Lady of Lourdes and graduated “All Everything” in 1955 from Wallace High School. For those attending the celebration of life, the "Prospector" yearbook will be on display and best illustrates her involvement. Summers during these formative years were spent on Newman Lake, making lasting friendships, most of them with families from Spokane’s South Hill, which she would one day call home. 

Rita attended the University of Idaho and was the first person in her family to go to college. At Idaho, she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority making lifelong friends. Ever the independent, adventurous spirit, Rita would then take a break from college and move to Spokane with two girlfriends where they worked and reportedly chased “tall, good looking Gonzaga basketball players.”

Marriage came calling by way of a dashing young man from the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Idaho. After a short courtship, she would tie the knot with Robert (Bob) Mecham at the ripe old age of 21. Bob was 20. The year was 1958 and this union would last 65 years. 

After packing up Rita’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop, the newlyweds motored off to dental school at Northwestern University in Chicago. Rita helped pay Bob’s tuition by working at Playboy Magazine’s headquarters. As secretary to Comptroller Glenn Hefner, Hugh’s father, Rita enjoyed a unique perspective as the famed Playboy Clubs sprouted up around the world. 

Three weeks before Bob’s graduation, the stork arrived with firstborn Mike. And in 1962, it was off to Seattle, where Bob fulfilled his active military service commitment at Fort Lawton and where their son, Mark, was born. Spokane’s South Hill was the next stop and two more sons, David and Dan. 

More than anything else, Rita enjoyed raising “her” four boys. Days were a blur of school activities, various camps, team sports, Boy Scouts and summers with “Granny & Gramps” at the lake. Snow skiing at Jackass Ski Bowl and, later, Schweitzer Basin played a big part in her life for many years. Rita was fun, sassy and strong-willed. She found immense joy in motherhood and, perhaps incorrectly, largely believed that the sun rose and set on her sons’ respective heads. She was always there for her boys — in good times and bad. 

In 1976, with four children under age 12, Rita decided to go back to school to become a Registered Nurse. How she was able to juggle it all boggles the mind. In 1979, Rita graduated from the Deaconess School of Nursing. She was rightfully proud of earning her degree and subsequent work in nursing.

In terms of volunteerism, the Lewis & Clark High School years were notable and where she co-founded the first All-Night Senior Party. Other pursuits included The Junior League of Spokane, Expo '74, The Vandal Boosters, Kappa Kappa Gamma and The P.E.O. Sisterhood. 

Later in life, Rita enjoyed forging wonderful relationships with five grandchildren. Many years of snowbirding on Maui was another highlight. She became quite the Internet aficionado and was proud of her technology prowess with the iPhone, iPad, Facebook and computer video games. Moreover, she was a big "Jeopardy" fan and took great delight in regularly crushing her sons and all those who dared to compete. This, paired with a glass of white wine, was always a hit at Overbluff Road. Many will recall Rita’s love of the Davenport Hotel’s Peacock Room for a properly made Old-Fashioned. Clinkerdagger overlooking the Falls was another semi-regular stop. Rita and Bob were in attendance for the restaurant’s opening night in 1974. 

Rita will be remembered as a smart, energetic, fun, empathetic and positive force of nature. She made all of us and the community a better place. Her legacy will surely live on through her deeds, family and friends. 

Rita is survived by her husband, Bob, and her four sons, Mike (Solange), Mark (Kimberly), David (Francisco) and Dan as well as relatives in the States, Italy and British Columbia. She leaves behind five grandchildren, Nicholas, Roger, Tanner, Kendall and Decker. Rita was predeceased in death by her parents.

The family thanks Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center for their patience, attention and care for Rita over the last few weeks of her life.

A celebration of life will be held at Manito Golf and Country Club on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., with remarks and a toast scheduled at 3:30 p.m. If you are moved to make a donation in her name, please consider the Spokane Humane Society at www.spokanehumanesociety.org.