Obit: Rita McDonough-Noble (Oregon) 14 March 09

Subject: Obit: Rita M of Portland OR USA
From: mg
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 12:12 PM

I am not a close friend so it is not my place to provide details, but Rita M has passed away following a long struggle. Members of the PFS could probably provide more information. mg

Subject: Obit: Rita Clare (Mick) of Portland OR 3/14/09
From: Barbara
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 10:30 PM

We lost her last Saturday after a many years long fight with cancer. mg asked to have this posted, and I don't know if it's okay to use her last name. well known and loved by many of us in the music community here.
We will be putting together a memorial for her, and I am sure she will be remembered at Singtime, next weekend. We sang for her at the pub, Tuesday. Sweet lady, farewell.
Blessings,
Barbara

PM me if you want more information.

Subject: RE: Obit: Rita McDonough of Portland OR 3/14/09
From: Genie
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 11:05 PM

Do you mean Rita McDonough?   
(I think that's how she spelled it.)

This is such sad news, Barbara, though not unexpected.   At the 2nd Saturday song circle in January we were told that Rita had decided to forgo further chemo and move into hospice and focus on the quality of the time she had left. She had spent many years fighting this recurring cancer and had realized that her time left here was short.

Rita was not only a wonderful artist and performer but a truly beautiful person inside and out.

This is a great loss to Portland and the folk music community.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Rita McDonough-Noble (Oregon) 14 March 09
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 11:41 PM

I'm going to add Rita's name to the thread title. If there's reason why it should not be revealed, I'll delete the thread.
May she rest in peace.
-Joe Offer, Sacramento-

Subject: RE: Obit: Rita McDonough-Noble (Oregon) 14 March 09
From: Barbara
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 12:53 PM

I've heard from others that posting her full name is okay. No word on a memorial yet.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Rita McDonough-Noble (Oregon) 14 March 09
From: Barbara
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 07:43 PM

We had a lovely song circle for Rita Sunday, 30 or so people at a pub in SW Portland, and beer and tears flowed freely. People shared stories about her, her favorite jokes and songs, and passed along some of her music and rhythm instrument.
Craig brought a poem she had written and everyone got copies. He also sang a song he'd written for her during one of her bouts of chemo. " I am F.*.C.K.I.N.G. fine, don't P.I.T.Y me..." Steve M. sang some of the many Emmy Lou Harris songs they both loved; oh, there were lots of memories, and I am not being a good reporder, perhaps it was beer.
Perhaps others will add their stories.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Rita McDonough-Noble (Oregon) 14 March 09
From: GUEST,Jeanie Auslander
Date: 17 May 09 - 10:49 PM

I am friend of Rita's from High School. When I learned of her passing I was stunned because I did not know she had recurring bouts of cancer. I loved her then and thought of her often in the past 21 years since I last saw her. I have kept memories of her from artifacts of our high school and junior college days.   
Rita will live my heart, as her spirit and love of laugh, and arts are stronger than life itself.
Jeanie from California

Subject: RE: Obit: Rita McDonough-Noble (Oregon) 14 March 09
From: Barbara
Date: 18 May 09 - 12:06 PM

Hi Jeanie, if you want, I can post the obit here; it was in the Oregonian a couple weeks after.
Blessings
Barbara