McBride, Rita M., born March 3, 1909, passed away June 12, 2013 at the age of 104. She died peacefully in her sleep and joins her beloved husband of 35 years, Charles McBride, who died in 1975. She is survived by her daughters, Janet Johnson of Ft. Collins, CO, and Jane Greco of Encinitas, CA; her sons-in-law, Richard Johnson and James Greco; two grandsons and their spouses, Brian and Jenny Greco and Matt and Ashley Greco; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rita, who became "Ymee" when her young and much loved grandchildren tried to say "grammy," was born in Columbus, OH, as the fourth of six children born to Aloysius and Rose Stein and lived on Seymour Street in a red brick home built by her grandfather. She worked in an office for $16 a week, before she ventured on her own to Los Angeles in 1935. Shortly after arriving in L.A., she obtained an office job at Pierce Bros. Mortuary. Rita told her family that the deceased were held in the basement, where a co-worker asked the office staff to come down to lunch with her. "We said thanks, but no thanks," Rita wrote in her handwritten biography.

Rita liked to joke that she married her dentist. She met Charlie through his sister, with whom Rita shared housing. At the time Rita met Charlie, he maintained a dental practice in Highland Park, where he practiced until World War II. He enlisted in the Navy and was assigned a tour of duty in the Pacific. It was during his 22.5 month absence that Rita took her job with the mortuary. Rita adored her husband and often recited the glee they shared when she moved to Oceanside to meet him as he returned from war and was discharged.

They returned to the Los Angeles area and made Eagle Rock their home until 1973. During this time, Ymee worked as a lab volunteer at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital. When she and Charlie moved to Orange County, she volunteered to care for mentally challenged children at the state-operated Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. Rita also volunteered to "pattern" a mentally-disabled girl, Kristie. She enjoyed many hours working with Kristie to help her learn to use her legs and arms.

After he husband died, Rita enjoyed apartment living for several years in the Costa Mesa area. When she reached her late eighties, she rented a condo in what was then known as "Leisure World." When the owner sold the unit, Ymee relocated to Vintage Senior Living at Regency in Laguna Hills, where she lived for 10 years. She made lasting friendships with the staff and Regency residents and treasured her independence. She vowed to never have a caregiver and cared for herself until her last week of life. Her goal was to never become a burden to her family or friends.

Rita, a devout Catholic, lived her belief system by helping, giving and caring for others. She was genuinely involved with parish and school activities at St. Dominic in Eagle Rock, CA. Strongly dedicated to quality education, she supported her daughters as they matriculated through St. Dominic's elementary school in Eagle Rock, Immaculate Heart High School in Hollywood, and ultimately through their collegiate educations.

In lieu of flowers, please, consider making a donation in remembrance of Rita to:

• St. Stephens Indian Mission

In Memory of Rita M. McBride

St. Stephens Indian Mission Foundation

P.O. Box 278

St. Stephens, WY 82524-9989

Rita supported St. Stephens for many years and truly believed in its mission and work. Her name will be put in their memory book and masses and prayers will be said for her. Contributions will support activities of the mission that serve the Shoshone and the Arapaho people of the Wind River Reservation in central Wyoming.