Rita M. Thornber

Rita M. Thornber

Rita M. Thornber of Redmond WA passed away on July 23, 2023 due to complications from a heart attack.  Born Rita Maureen Morris to Joseph and Clara Morris of Roslyn, WA on 3/28/1951.

Rita grew up and attended schools in Roslyn and Cle Elum WA. She graduated from Washington State University in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. Subsequently she became a certified Medical Technologist through the Virginia Mason Hospital training program in Seattle and worked at several different hospitals in the area.

Later, she discovered her lifelong passion in the arts, specifically photography and poetry. At first, she did children’s photography but shortly switched to photographs of nature, connecting word and image to build metaphorical images with a deeper message. She created 3 separate photography books and 1 book of poetry to express her personal connection with nature.

Rita was married to her lifelong partner of 49 years, Thomas E. Thornber, in 1974. She is deeply missed by her husband, sons Collin and David, daughter-in-law Emily, and grandson Sawyer along with her surviving brother James Maras of Seattle.  She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Dale.

Rita passed peacefully in her home of 39 years surrounded by her husband and 2 sons.