Rita Harvey Hand

RITA HAND  E. Rita Hand (Beaubien) 83, of Bremerton, died in Bremerton at the Hospice Center on 13 January 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born June 10th 1925 to Anna and Gustave Beaubien in Seattle Washington. She married Harvey Hand on October 15th 1943 in San Diego California. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.  Rita was ever gracious, loved a good joke, and possessed an uncanny memory to the very end. Although hampered by poor vision which eventually left her blind, she worked in the war effort as a young woman and at numerous other jobs during her lifetime. She steadfastly refused to consider herself handicapped. She loved life, especially her large extended family, and looked forward to the numerous family get-togethers, celebrations, and annual reunions.  A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she is survived by her husband Harvey and sons Larry (Lynne) of Port Orchard, and Ron (Jan) of Seattle, her brother Armand of Bremerton, sister Yvette of Bellevue, and sister Lucille of Bremerton.  She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Lillian.  She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Bremerton. Her family is extremely grateful to the “Washington Talking Book and Braille Library”, her lifeline for news and entertainment, and suggest that any remembrances be made to them. There will be a private family memorial service at the Holy Trinity Chapel. HARVEY T. HAND VETERAN   Harvey T. Hand 88, of Bremerton, died at home on 16 August 2009. He was born March 2nd 1921 to Ernest and Hazel (Ajax) Hand in Seattle Washington, and spent his childhood in Bryn Mawr, Washington, graduating from Franklin High School and the University of Washington. Harvey married Rita Beaubien on October 15th 1943 in San Diego California.  He worked as a shipfitter in Seattle from 1941 until he entered the navy in 1943. He served on the Battleship USS New Mexico in 1944-45, participating in numerous Pacific Campaigns, and sustaining 2 kamikaze attacks. After the war, Harvey worked as a warehouseman, carpenter, and school business auditor, going on to become the first Business Manager of the Issaquah School District, a position he held until his retirement in 1980. He also served as Registered School Business Administrator of the United States and Canada (1968), President of Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) (1974), and President of the Issaquah Rotary Club (1978-1979). After retirement,  Harvey and Rita built their waterfront dream house on Herron Island (Pierce County), where they lived until moving to Bremerton in 2000. Rita passed away in January 2009 shortly after celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Harvey is survived by his sons Larry (Lynne) of Port Orchard, and Ron (Jan) of Seattle; sisters, Elaine Simmons of California, and Darlene Waiwaiole of Florida; 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Harvey was active in VFW Post # 239.  A celebration of Harvey’s life is being planned.