Rita Henry Obituary

The news of Rita´s passing was a real devastation to me and my wife, as I am sure it was to all family and friends. We are deeply saddened by this event. I do not have the words to explain how Rita´s death has affected us, but it is profoundly significant.

We met the Henry´s in 1980 at Skaggs Island. We lived next door to them at that time. In retrospect there is no doubt in my mind the lord put Joe and Rita in our lives at that time when we really needed them more than we knew. As the wonders in life have revealed themselves over the past decades I realize more everyday they were a great blessing for me and Sue. It is inexplicable the way they impacted our life since the day we met and that continues today.

Rita gave us such wonderful memories. I could write a book about them. I remember many of them vividly as if they just happened yesterday. She introduced us to all things England. Trifle was an all time favorite and no one did it better than Rita. Then there were scotch eggs and bangers, along with other meals I have not had in awhile, but miss them. Each time I hear about them I am reminded of Rita. Joe introduced me to darts. But it was Rita that established the required ritual upon returning home after a day at the pub. We spent time at wineries, did lunch at the Chestnut Street Grill in San Francisco, spent time at Fisherman´s Wharf and went to numerous Mexican restaurants. There were picnics at the wineries. Going to church on Sunday was a regular routine with Father John Von S. Many times the entire congregation consisted of just us and the Henry´s at times (Julie included). I am sure they fondly remember the wine and cheese tasting party at their home where most of the people we worked with at the base attended. (Joe I can´t recall if I made it home that night even though I lived next door). There are many other great memories, but you can tell Rita enhanced our California experience.

Beyond the tangible things like meals and events Rita always provided love, wisdom and guidance. It was always subtle. I never knew it was happening at the time, but she, and Joe, gave us gifts and memories that made our lives infinitely better.

Another unmistakable and remarkable blessing in our life was the friendship between Rita and my wife. The word friendship does not do justice to that relationship. It was much more than that, but I cannot find the words. Sue was barely 20 at the time and we were married just more than a year. We were very young and still figuring things out. I moved her 3000 miles away from her family with whom she was very close. We had phone bills that equaled a half week's pay. To say she wanted to be home versus at Skaggs would be an understatement. Rita changed all that. They treated us like family, but better. Sue really loved Rita with her stories about life in England, life in the Navy and life with Joe. Sue really appreciated her strong opinions and the strength of her convictions. Rita's knowledge was colored by her life experiences and she experienced a lot. Those experiences translated into wisdom for both Sue and myself. The thing you really had to appreciate was that she was generally right. I can never be thankful enough for her relationship with us, but with Sue in particular. We have only seen each other, talked or written a handful of times in the last 40+ years, but that connection was always there. When we visited a few years ago we started right where things left off. There was no reconnection necessary. That is special.

I suppose this reminiscing is helping me as part of my grieving process. I am hopeful it will provide aid to the Henry family in some small way while they grieve. It is more important they know how much we loved her and how much she meant to us. She was a unique, one of a kind person that improved not only our life, but I am certain the lives of many others, especially her family. I have been truly blessed by having Rita in my life. I am beyond thankful for that. Joe and Julie know that you and your Mum will always be in our thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.

We understand there will be a celebration of Rita´s life at some point in the future. It would be our hope that we can make the trip to Colorado and participate in that event. She truly had a life worth celebrating and we would like to participate in that.

Kevin

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences on your loss. From the obituary it appears Mr. Henry may have retired from the Navy. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO