Rita Lucille Pinard

Rita Pinard (née Sutton), 1940–2025 Rita Pinard, 84, passed away peacefully on May 9th, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. Rita was the youngest of eight children born to John and LaVeta Sutton. She lived a simple childhood on her family’s small farm in Roseburg, Oregon, and graduated from Roseburg High School in 1958. In 1961, she married the love of her life, Russ Pinard. Together, they built a happy home in the Pacific Northwest, raising their family and sharing 49 wonderful years of marriage. Rita had a sharp mind, a tireless spirit, and was a natural organizer and leader. She worked for many years at Hewlett-Packard, where her talents soon led her to plan major events, including the legendary HP picnic. Her dedication to community continued in retirement, and Rita volunteered much of her time and energy to causes and organizations dear to her, such as the HP Retired Employees Club, Benton County United Way, and the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. Her extraordinary accomplishments in volunteer service earned her numerous awards and recognition from governors and U.S. presidents. Rita had a genuine gift for bringing people together. She loved hosting gatherings, playing games, and creating joyful memories with friends and family. She and Russ treasured their travels across the country in their RV—exploring national parks, hosting at state campgrounds, experiencing regional festivities, and even leading RV caravans along the historic Oregon Trail. Her warmth, wit, and generosity touched all who knew her. Rita is survived by her children Kari, Penny (Chris), and Dan (Debi); her grandchildren Sean, Cody, Nichelle, Kayli, AJ, Luke, Owen, Jack, Alex (Ichigo), Megan (Zach), and Jenny; her great-grandchildren Kade and Alayna; and her beloved dog, Mocha. She was preceded in death by her husband Russ and son Rex (Kathy). A viewing will be held at 12:30 PM on Friday, May 23, at McHenry Funeral Home, Corvallis, Oregon, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity or, even better, consider volunteering for a worthy cause. Rita gave so much of herself to others—may her example continue to inspire.

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Rita Lucille Pinard

August 7, 1940 - May 9, 2025