Rita Ann McKay-Hensley

Rita Ann McKay-Hensley, 55, of Grants Pass died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, in Grants Pass after a long battle with cancer. Private family services will be held. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 W. Sixth St., Medford, OR 97501. She was born March 19, 1953, in Potter Valley, Calif., to Tommy Leroy McKay and Charlene Ruth Smith-McKay. When she was a baby, she and her brother were saved from their burning home by their babysitter, Donna Mae Kitchel, who later died as a result of her injuries. The Potter Valley School flagpole contains a tribute to Kitchel's heroism. Survivors include her companion, Raymond Garcia; a son, Joshua Hensley; a daughter, Jessica Hensley; her parents, Tom and June McKay and Charlene Whitfield; a brother, Gary D. McKay; a sister, Ramona L. Dunning; three half-siblings, James and Todd Whitfield and Marlin Lish; and two grandchildren.