Ritarae 'Rita' Maria Harris Holley, 80

Ritarae (Rita) Maria Harris was born Sept. 8, 1945, in Long Beach, Calif., the only daughter to Ray and Ruth Harris. She would grow up in the Mojave Desert in the shadow of the famed Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Rita graduated from Sherman E. Burroughs High School in 1963. She and Bud developed many lifelong friendships from their China Lake days, friends that her sons would also get to know and love. 

Rita met Bud Holley in 1963; she was 17 and had just graduated from High School. Bud was visiting his parents while on leave and they set him up on a blind date with Ruth and Ray’s daughter, Rita. A reluctant Bud (who thought she was older) was happy she was about to turn 18 and thankful she had at least graduated high school when they met. Many funny stories would be told over the years about their first date and him later learning she was just 17. They were happily married for 52 years, being the definition of true soul mates. They were blessed with two sons — Michael “Mike” Vance Holley in 1967, born at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Mass.; and Scott Raymond Holley in 1969, born at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

Rita loved her life journey with Bud and their time together while he served our country in the Navy for 20 years. Wherever he would go, they wanted to be together. She did everything from checking groceries at Alpha Beta (where she would be honored by being the “checker of the year”) to selling costume jewelry, Mary Kay, a secretary at United Gas Pipeline, a teller at Champions Bank, working with the disabled and much more. Rita even managed to get on “The Price is Right” in the mid-'70s, and, of course, wore some crazy costume. She volunteered whenever possible for Mike or Scott’s school PTA or sports teams. And she caught just about every game possible that either of the boys would play in. Rita never met a stranger and always had a smile. Mike would joke with her that whatever was going on, his mom truly wore rose colored glasses. She thoroughly loved and jokingly embarrassed her son, Mike, in public whenever she had a chance, about his days playing football at the University of Houston, or anything else she could think of. She was absolutely thrilled that Mike had met and married Misti, giving her great comfort that Mike had followed in the footsteps of his father in marrying his true soul mate. 

In 2004, Rita and Bud fully retired and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. After 40+ years of never living in the same home longer than five years, it would be the most amazing place they could have ever chosen. They made more new friends and loved them all. Their love of the area was shared by Mike and Misti so much that they built a home on the lake and spend as much time as they can in Cd’A. Another blessing in Rita’s life was having them close and getting to see them on a regular basis. Mike and Misti would have Rita join them whenever possible, even dinners with visiting friends — Rita got the invite and loved every second of it. 

After Bud passed in 2016, Rita joined Rambling Rovers. This group of people would be another blessing as Rita made new friends in life and was able to travel with them, making more memories. Mike and Misti are eternally thankful for this group, as they helped fill the huge void left by the passing of Bud. 

Rita is survived by her son, Mike; his wife, Misti; Scott’s widow, Elizabeth; Mike and Misti’s combined three daughters, Natalie, Abbey and Sarah; a host of cousins; her beloved dogs, Macy and Molly; and many, many friends.

A memorial celebration will be held at Yates Funeral Home — Coeur d’ Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho — date to be determined. Rita’s friends and relatives meant the world to her. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations be made in Rita’s name to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org), or in Rita’s name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rita, please visit our Tree Store at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guestbook.