May M Vidmar

  VIDMAR, May Melina – (Spokane, WA) Born June 5, 1922 in Harrison, ID, May entered into eternal life peacefully at the age of 96, at Hospice of Spokane, on August 23, 2018, this past Friday. May was the wife of Kenneth Downs (deceased) and they had two daughters, the eldest, Roberta Downs, is married to Jesse Latham, residing at Falmouth, VA, along with their three children, Rhonda Latham, Floyd Latham, and John Latham, (no grandchildren, yet). The youngest daughter, Patsy M. Downs married Donald Rausch (deceased) and they had two daughters, Sherry May Rausch, and Teresa Lynn Rausch.  Sherry married John Knoll and had one son, Tyler Knoll, and later married Tom Smidt, and resides in Longmont, Colorado.  Teresa Rausch married Zac White and had three sons, Zac Jr. White, Donado White, and Robert White.  Zac Jr. had a daughter, Amber Lynn White, great-great-granddaughter to May Vidmar, residing in Las Vegas, NV. May was also the wife of Louis Vidmar (deceased 1985), they were married 38 years.  He was a wonderful husband and stepfather and the love of May’s life.  She also had a loving and devoted companion of 22 years, Robert McCammond (deceased).  Robert was also the love of her life. Also, another loving and wonderful companion to May was Robert Merrill of Cheney, WA.  She was preceded in death by her Father, Sam Sciuchetti and her Mother, Carmelo Maraffo (both originally from Milan, Italy). They resided in Kellogg, ID having 12 children, all deceased except, Helen Baily, (age 92), a loving sister to May; and many nieces and nephews.  May brought laughter, warmth, wit, and love and charm to everyone she met.  A friend to all, and known all over Spokane as “Aunt May”.  She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”, their special songs and yodels celebrating customers at the Hillside Inn, with owner Annie Pennington for over 16 years. When May was 16 and first married, she was in the circus and traveled all over the United States.  She rode elephants and performed assorted circus duties.  While traveling, she met Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and many other movie stars. When WW II began, May came to Spokane to find work.  She was a regular “Rosie the Riveter”.  She operated a crane out of Alcoa in Mead.  She loved it.  From there, she went to work for Kaiser Trentwood, retiring after 24 years.  May volunteered everywhere including the Red Cross and the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.  Volunteering at the VA Hospital for a dozen years racking up 45,000 volunteer hours.  She was President of the Cootiette Club, and a Lifetime member of the Auxiliary of VFW Post 51. May volunteered work for the Lakeland Village, making scrapbooks for handicapped children.  During the Sunshine Mine disaster, she brought sandwiches to the families.  She worked at the County Fair every year.  She dedicated her whole life to helping and loving others, including the homeless. The family expresses a deepest thank you, to the North Hospice House of Spokane, for all the loving care they provided to Aunt May. A deep love and appreciation extended to the following: Annie Pennington, Mary Lou Babb, Helen Yokum, VFW Post 51, and Minister Ernie and his wife.  A viewing opportunity will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm at RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME, 4305 N DIVISION, SPOKANE, WA.  A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 1:00 PM also at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace Cemetery. Upon conclusion, a reception will be held at the Hillside Inn owned by Annie Pennington.