Ardith DIVINE Obituary

September 1, 1932 - March 25, 2025

On March 25th, 2025, Heaven gained an angel, our beloved, beautiful, and sassy mother. Ardith Grace Draszt was born in Plentywood, Montana, in 1932, to Marion (Lee) and Joesph Draszt. Along with her brothers, Gary and Kenneth, she was raised on their family farm in White Pine, Montana. She jitterbugged her way through school and graduated from Thompson Falls High School. After graduation she headed to Spokane and enrolled in Kinman's Business University. Her time in Spokane was supposed to be a short stay as she was determined to move to Hollywood. Her plans quickly changed as it wasn't long after arriving in Spokane that she met a handsome, blue-eyed Jack Divine. After a short courtship, they married on October 14th, 1951, and began growing their family in Spokane.

In 1956, they founded their business, Divine's Auto, in downtown Spokane which included a full-service gas station, automotive repair and towing. Ardith worked alongside Jack doing accounting while also working for Mutual of Enumclaw. Both Jack and Ardith were very active in the Spokane community after starting their business. Ardith served on several committees, including the Lady Jaycees and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Washington Gambling Commission which she did for several years. Jack served on the City Council from 1967-1974, was Director of the Spokane Lilac Festival, President Junior Chamber of Commerce, member of the Spokane Rotary Club, and both were avid golfers and members of Manito Country Club. When Jack unexpectedly passed away in 1984, Ardith became President of Divine Corporation and ran the company until she retired in 1999. She sold the company to her eldest daughter and son-in-law who continue to run the business today. When she retired, she became a snowbird with her dear companion Gayle Eymer. They split their time between Sun City, Arizona in the winter, and Sacheen Lake in the summer. After Gayle passed, she continued her time in Arizona and had settled there mostly full-time with her son.

She is survived by her four children, Laura Redmon (Jim), Cheryl Roberts (Mike), Debra Cornell (Chris), and John Jack Divine Jr; her nine grandchildren, Alli, Chrissy, RJ, Katy, Ryan, Kelley, TJ, Joey, and CJ; eleven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lu Rose and many nieces and nephews. Family meant the world to Ardith, and we are humbled by the legacy of kindness and compassion she had for others. Ardith loved nothing more than to entertain and cook for everyone she knew. She was always lending a hand to anyone in need and was known as a second mom to many during her lifetime.

Please join us in a celebration of life for Ardith on Friday, May 16th, from 3:30 pm to 6:00pm, at Beacon Hill Event Center, at 4848 E. Valley Springs Rd., Spokane, WA 99217. Ardith requested to have a gathering of family and friends instead of a formal service to send her off to her next adventure in celebration rather than sorrow.

A special thanks to her wonderful caregivers, Donna, Michelle, Logan, and owners Tanya and Brian at Classy Retreats Care center. If you wish to make a memorial donation, the family requests The Shriner's Children's Hospital or Providence Inland Northwest Foundation Heart Institute campaign in honor of the great care she received there.