Pera Azalea Bass Ricks

Pera A. Ricks, a longtime resident of Renton, Washington, passed away on March 16, 2013 in Lacey, Washington. She was born on March 30, 1918 in St. Louis, Missouri to Benjamin Harrison Bass and Lydia Ann (Schlewing) Bass. She was a graduate of Franklin High School in Seattle, Washington. On July 26, 1941, she married the love of her life and best friend, James “Jim” Rual Ricks.

During her lifetime, Pera moved a total of three times, but never far from their first house. She was an avid gardener and loved to have flowers arranged and displayed to beautify her home. Pera was a member of the Eastern Star and enjoyed volunteering her time to help friends and family in need; these acts provided her with an extreme sense of purpose. Pera and Jim traveled around the world three times, often collecting souvenirs from each destination visited. Jim and Pera enjoyed spending many winters at their condo in Hawaii. The entire family shares many fond memories of time spent together with Jim and Pera at the family built cabin, near Index, Washington on the Skykomish River, later referred to as their “Safe Haven”. Pera's greatest joy was time spent with her family and friends.

Pera is preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, James, in 2001; twin sister, Jane Clarissa Johnson-Olson; and her older sister, Ruth Marcella Sebastian. She leaves behind her three children and their spouses, James P. and Joanne Ricks of Buckley; John R. and Lynda Ricks of Tenino; and Lydia A. and James Vereide of Kirkland; ten grandchildren, James, Jennifer, Jacqueline, Jonathan, Justin, Janelle, Jolynn, Jody, James, and Jason; twenty-five great grandchildren; and many loving extended family and friends.

Pera left a wonderful legacy behind that will continue to live on thru the many lives she enriched.