In Loving Memory

Rebecca R. Blankinship

Rebecca R. Blankinship was born on May 2, 1947 to parents Helen Margaret (Hodge) Rarick, and John Loomis Rarick in Warren, Ohio. She passed away March 29, 2022 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.

She was the oldest of five siblings, Jacqueline Margaret, Sally Mae, John Charles, and Karen Sue.  Her family lived in Ohio until she was 12 when they moved to Phoenix, Arizona. At age 16 her family moved to Thousand Oaks, California. Rebecca graduated from Thousand Oaks High School.

Rebecca married Gene Cusson in 1965 and they had a son, Damon R. Cusson. Divorced in 1973.

She then married Larry Leroy Rucker in 1975 and they were married until 1993 when Larry passed away from cancer. They had moved to Cusick, Washington in 1980.

In 1995 she met Ed Blankinship and they were married until July 2015 when Ed passed away from cancer. They had lived in Chewelah since 1996.

Rebecca is survived by her daughter-in-law Tracy Lynn Cusson and one granddaughter, Carolynn Grace Cusson. She is also survived by her siblings.

Rebecca's parents as well as her son Damon predeceased her: John L. Rarich in 1982, H. Margaret Rarick Cowan in 2011, and Damon R. Cusson in 2018.

Rebecca worked as a medical insurance billing clerk from 1965 until 1980. Then she worked as a secretary for Forest Enterprises in Usk, WA from 1980 to 1988She and Larry Rucker owned and operated the Rucker Farms Tomato Greenhouse in Cusick, WA
from.

1988 until Larry's death in 1993. Rebecca continued operating the greenhouse without him until 1995.

Rebecca then worked in the investment world for four years in Spokane, WA; the Pend Oreille County Auditor's office for a year; and she was the City Administrator for the City of Chewelah for one year.

Following that she worked as a legal assistant for four years, and an office manager for NEWRSN mental health for four years in Colville, WA. And she was the office manager for Sunny Acres Senior Housing in Chewelah, WA for four years until retiring in 2013.

In 2014 Rebecca was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, for which there is no cure. In lieu flowers, please send contributions to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association or the Caring Voice Coalition.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with her care.