Raetta Frances Harkins (neé Fowler) of Mount Vernon, Washington passed away peacefully, with her daughter by her side, in the early hours of Sunday March 19, 2023.

Raetta was born February 5, 1938 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the first child of Raymond and Myrtle Fowler. Following the birth of her two younger brothers the family moved to Seattle. She spent her childhood involved in the Catholic church and enjoying the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest by spending time on her father's boat and watching her brothers play baseball. She graduated from Franklin High School in Seattle. After graduation she met her future husband, Benjamin Donald Harkins Jr at a church social group. The couple were married at Saint Edwards Catholic Church in Seattle. They welcomed their only child, Janet Marie, on November 14, 1963. Raetta spent her time raising her daughter and spending time with her family, including her brothers and their families as their children grew together.

Raetta became a grandma in the spring of 1987 when her daughter Janet and her husband, Thomas, welcomed the first of their three daughters. She loved the role of grandma and enjoyed taking care of her granddaughters while her daughter and son-in-law worked. She was a beloved part of the family, taking part in any and all family celebrations and vacations. In 2006 she became a great-grandma after the birth of the first of her three great-grandsons. She loved spending time with them, especially watching her oldest grandson play baseball.

In her later years, Raetta moved to Mira Vista where she enjoyed and participated in any and all social activities including art projects, watching Mariners baseball on TV and various games, her favorite of which was bingo, where she seemed to win far more games than she lost.

Raetta is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Myrtle Fowler, her sister-in-law, Cherie Fowler and her son-in-law, Thomas Becker.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Becker, her granddaughters Rachyl Eddy (Robert), Jordyn Becker and Tessa Johnson (Joseph), her great grandsons Bradley, Robby and Tommy Eddy, her brothers Leonard "Gene" Fowler and Daniel "Bud" Fowler (Marlee) and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Mira Vista Care Center, Hospice of the North West and Dr. Erik Bylund for all of the care and compassion that they provided to Raetta.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 12:00pm at Hawthorne Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, WA.  A reception will follow the graveside service at Janet's home.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.