Obituary of La Rita Tharp

A private ceremony has been arranged for La Rita Tharp who passed away at her Capitola home on October 25,2013 at the age of 81. Born in Joplin, Missouri, she has been a resident of the Santa Cruz area since 1958. She was a talented student while attending beauty college, and became Macy's Head Stylist in Joplin. Following the death of her first husband, she moved to California and met Homer Tharp who would become her loving and beloved husband for the next 40 years. Homer preceded La Rita in death in 2000. She loved the beaches of the Monterey Bay area; as well as her Himalayan Cats that she raised for many years. Her family will cherish many fun, loving memories with her. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was well liked by anyone who met her. Though she most enjoyed spending time with family; who will forever remember her as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Patricia and Merrill McCostlin of Mojave, Rebecca and John Anson of Boulder Creek, daughter, Julie Tharp of Capitola; her brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Mary Kinney of Joplin, MO; and her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Dale Estes of Orlando, Florida.La Rita also leaves her grandchildren: Michelle Hull, Rebekah Jamison, Sean McCostlin, Andrea Cook, and great grandchildren: Daytona Cook, Chelsea Jamison, and Justin Esparza, and her great great granddaughter Lyla Esparza. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.