Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Whigham, Rita Marie (Davis)

Age 81


WHIGHAM, Rita Marie (Davis)

Rita’s loving heart could no longer sustain her earthly body.

She joined the Angels February 25, 2016 at Hospice House North, Spokane.

She was born in Spokane on December 19, 1934.

She graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1952.


She loved spending time with her family and was an avid fan of the Zags, the Seahawks and Mariners.


Rita was a strong advocate for mental health.

She was known throughout the world for her work with the Clubhouse International and was a regular faculty member for the movement.

She was one of the founding members of the Evergreen Club at Frontier Behavioral Health.

Rita was a mentor for many participants at Evergreen and will be remembered for her tenaciousness, her dry sense humor and her ready smile for anyone who walked through the door.

She will be missed by everyone involved with Evergreen.
She was preceded in death by her son, George L. Whigham, Jr; her son-in-law, Terry Somers, Sr; her sister, Patsy Johnson and her brother Larry Davis.


She is survived by her family: Daughter-in-law, Anne Whigham and her daughter, Leslie (Dylan) Chester.

Daughter, Janet and James Annis Sr., their children Cheri Somers, Terry (Memorie) Somers Jr., James Annis Jr. and Robert (Linda) Annis.

Son, Robert and Elena Whigham, their children Mylena and Micaela.

Her Great-grandchildren: Caitlyn, Hailey, Rylie, Terry III, Dylan, Margaret, Jason (Heather) Soto, Josh Soto, Tim (Erin) Hutchison and six great-great-grandchildren.
The family is very grateful to Hospice House North for their loving care of Rita and our family.


A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday March 5th, 9:30am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Evergreen Club, Frontier Behavioral Health, 107 S. Division Street, Spokane, WA.