Rita M Burns-Harper

Rita was born on October 9, 1951 in Shelton, WA to Kelly and Joanne Nutt. She graduated from Shelton High School in 1969, and thereafter moved to Seattle. Rita raised her two sons, Paul and Kevin Ticen, in Bellevue and spent the past 10 years in Olalla with partner Robert Harper, with whom she recently married on their 10th anniversary on Veteran’s Day 2013.

Rita worked for several years as an Event Coordinator for the City of Bellevue Parks & Recreation then working at Spangler and Methodologie design firms at the front desk. Most recently, Rita worked with one of her closest friends at the Home Décor store Fidalgo’s in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

An avid gardener, reader, and emerging traveller, Rita was often found working in her many gardens, relaxing with a good book or exploring the country with Bob. She spent countless hours with her grandkids and was heavily involved in their activities.

Rita was highly spiritual, and one of the most kind, caring, optimistic, personable and empathetic individuals. She was admired for her ability to connect with people, and she was genuinely interested in the lives of those with whom she connected. Rita was a compassionate helper in the purest sense of the word.

Rita is preceded in death by her father Kelly, her brother Phillip (Pep) and her late husband Tim Burns. Rita is survived by her husband Bob Harper of Olalla, "Grandpa Bobby" as he is affectionately known by the couples' several grandchildren. She is survived by son Paul Ticen of Chandler, Arizona, his wife Andrea and daughters Lexi and Khloe Mae, and son Kevin Ticen of Seattle, Washington, wife Michaela and their children Annika, Anja and Lukas. Rita is also survived by her mother Joanne Nutt of Shelton, WA, sisters Linda Gott of Shelton, Candy Reed of Longview, WA, Jeanee Nutt-Wright of Shelton, her brother David Nutt of Olympia, WA, their respective spouses and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services are January 9th at 12:30 p.m. at Sunset Hills in Bellevue, WA as well as a celebration of her life at the Olalla Community Center on January 10th between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. For those interested, donations may be made to "Rita Ticen Harper Memorial Fund" at any Bank of America branch.