Rita Catherine Yazzie

Rita Catherine Yazzie died Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Winslow's Little Colorado Hospital with family at her side. She was 66 years old. Rita was born on February 26, 1944 in Jeddito, Navajo County, Arizona to the late Tsinijinnie Yazzie and Maurice "Marie" (Begay) Yazzie. As a young girl, Rita went to Keams Canyon where she completed the 8th grade. She then completed her high school education in Shelako, Oklahoma. After returning to Arizona, Rita continued her studies at Northland Pioneer College. Following her high school graduation in Oklahoma, she met and married Jose Angel Jimenez in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. She was a devoted and loving mother to her 3 children. While living in Dallas, Rita and her husband owned a very successful upholstery business. They also owned and operated a bar in that area. Rita worked for Zales Jewelry, and was able to travel for them extensively. She even worked some time for RCA and Curtis Matthis. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce and Rita move back, with her children, to her roots in Jeddito, Arizona. Later she moved to Holbrook where she was employed at the Holbrook Dormitory for 39 years. Rita was a very active woman. She thoroughly enjoyed watching the Arizona Cardinals play football, the Arizona Diamondbacks play baseball and Arizona golf. Rita was a math whiz herself and was invigorated whenever she was able to solve math problems. While in high school, she used to play the clarinet and was quite good at it. Ever the devoted mother, she thoroughly enjoyed attending all the activities with which her children were involved. Rita enjoyed attending Song and Dances and always helped the kids she worked with organize Pow-Wow events and dances. Rita always looked forward to going with the kids that she worked with on their end-of-the-school year trips; visiting such places as Hawaii, California, Washington, D.C. and many other locations. As busy as she was, Rita's favorite time was spent with her children and grandchildren because she loved being with them so much. She loved to take care of their individual needs and found great joy by being their mother and grandmother. Whenever she was able, Rita would also spend some quality time with her BFF, Etta, playing BINGO, visiting casinos in Laughlin and other places in Nevada, watching baseball, attending song and dances, as well as other traditional social events and ceremonies. This energetic lady will be missed by the many people that she touched throughout her years of service, however, none will miss her presence more than those she considered her family. Rita is survived by her 3 children: Anthony Jimenez, Sheila Tsinijinnie, Ronnie Jimenez; 2 grandchildren: April Lynn Jimenez, Amanda Rae Jimenez; her mother, Marie Yazzie; 4 sisters; 5 brothers; numerous nieces and nephews and is also survived by her best friend, Etta Bitsilly, whom she loved like a sister. Along with her father, Rita is preceded in death by 1 brother, Samuel Yazzie; 2 sisters: Evelyn Curley and Christina Yazzie. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin 9:00 A.M., Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 212 E. Arizona in Holbrook, Arizona. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 10:00 A.M. The committal service and interment will be at the Holbrook Cemetery. Rita's family truly appreciates all the love and kindness expressed to them through thoughts, prayers and deeds.