Anita Anne Moody

Anita was born June 16th, 1973, in Yakima, Washington, to Paul and Lois Rothamel. She was born with Spina Bifida, a congenital disability, and despite the challenges associated with it she defied the odds until her last breath. She graduated from A.C Davis High School in 1992. She fulfilled her biggest wish on March 6th, 1999, and became a mother to her only child, Kaitlynn R. Moody. She was a devoted mother and homemaker. She had so much love and motherly warmth to give that despite only having one biological child she informally adopted many throughout the years caring for them as though they were her own. She was a woman who inspired many, instilled curiosity, and fostered a deep disability pride throughout her life. Having defied so many odds, she was proud of every milestone she was told she would never reach. Each birthday was a celebration and she was proud to show her age. She always said “you never know if you don’t ask” and this was especially true when others, specifically children, were curious about her disability. She moved through this world with sass, love, generosity, curiosity, and compassion.

Throughout her life, Anita could often be found engrossed in a good movie or show, often with her daughter. This was regularly followed by long conversations about the storytelling, acting, and writing choices. She particularly loved Vin Diesel and Patrick Swayze. She loved live music and concerts, always screaming and cheering louder than those around her. She had a life long love affair with baseball. Her mom and her housed Yakima Bears baseball players in the 1990s, and she would often reminisce on one of those players being future 6-time All-Star and World Series Champion Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox. While she loved the Mariners, and she was a die-hard Dodgers fan. She started a tradition when Kaitlynn was a child, in which for any game, whether Anita loved a particular team playing or not, her and Kaitlynn would each pick a team to cheer for so both teams had someone supporting them.

She is preceded in death by her father Paul, her mother Lois. As well as many family members including her aunt Harriet “Annie” Newman (who she gets her middle name from) and her grandfather Arthur “Art” Newman.

She is survived by her child Kaitlynn Moody, her (step) mother Duella Rothamel, her sister Kimberly Rothamel, brother Robert Rothamel, and best friend Jennifer Osiadacz, many nieces, countless children she informally adopted over the years, and many friends and family members.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima, Washington at 10 A.M. With a Vigil service on September 23rd, 2025, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima, Washington at 5 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Spina Bifida Association.