Rita Ann Thorn

Rita was born on December 25, 1929 in Wendling, OR to Ira and Zelma (Zahm) Watson. She graduated from Girl's Polytechnic High School in 1947 and continued her education at Oregon State University and Vanport College where she studied Home Economics. She married Gerald James Thorn on September 9, 1951 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon. She worked primarily as a homemaker, and was the director of the Religious Education at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church for many years.

She resided in Idaho, Washington and Montana and moved to East County in 1960 where she lived in the house built by her father. She was an active member of St. Joseph the Worker since 1960. Some of Rita’s interests included sewing and playing Bridge. She took classes in Early Childhood Education at Mt. Hood Community College and taught sewing through 4-H. She also enjoyed babies, bears, bunnies, the Blazers, books, and the beach. Above all, her greatest joy came from spending time with her family.

Rita is survived by her husband Gerald of Portland, OR, her daughters: Anna Thorn of Portland, OR, Cassandra Lee of Yellow Springs, OH, Alix Alejandro of Phoenix, AZ and sons: Scott Thorn, and Craig Thorn both of Scottsdale, AZ, brother, Ron Watson of Beaverton, OR and sister, Cora Fummerton of Roseburg, OR as well as grandchildren Andrea, Seth, Rachael, Nadia, Eric, Mitra, Daniel, Jared, Madison, Jackson, Gabriel, Harrison, and Dominic.

Services for Rita Ann Thorn will be held on Saturday, April 16th at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Portland at 11 A.M. A Rosary service will take place at Bateman-Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham Friday, April 15th at 6 P.M. Internment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Contributions may be made in memory of Rita to Snow Cap, P.O. Box 160, Fairview, OR, 97024. Bateman-Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.